Exhibit 23-1


                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS



We consent to the  incorporation by reference in the  registration  statement of
CMP  Group,  Inc.  and  Central  Maine  Power  Company  on Form S-3  (File  Nos.
333-35235;  33-56939;  33-36679; 33-39826; and 33-51611) and Form S-8 (File Nos.
333-49643  and  33-44754) of our report dated January 26, 1999, on our audits of
the consolidated financial statements of CMP Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries as
of  December  31,  1998 and 1997,  and for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 1998, and the consolidated financial statements and financial
statement  schedule of Central  Maine power Company and its  subsidiaries  as of
December 31, 1998 and 1997,  and for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1998, which report is included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.



Portland, Maine
March 30, 1999