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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 PC5sTrHSZw6od7tgwz1T9xUPux3Bun3qP7VSpdI19jwPKYrp6uboEk5mexnDA1q+
 8Gml2YcWTUL2yEvThqNMtw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001094093-04-000161.txt : 20040422
<SEC-HEADER>0001094093-04-000161.hdr.sgml : 20040422
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040422154528
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001094093-04-000161
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040420
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040422

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PROGRESS ENERGY INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001094093
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ELECTRIC SERVICES [4911]
		IRS NUMBER:				562155481
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NC
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		410 S WILMINGTON ST
		CITY:			RALEIGH
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27601
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9195466463

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		410 S WILMINGTON ST
		CITY:			RALEIGH
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27601

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CP&L ENERGY INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20000314

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CP&L HOLDINGS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19990830

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SCOTT PETER M III
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001183052

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-15929
		FILM NUMBER:		04748208

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 1551
		CITY:			RALEIGH
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27601
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9195466111

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 1551
		CITY:			RALEIGH
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27601
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-04-20</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001094093</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PROGRESS ENERGY INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PGN</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001183052</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SCOTT PETER M III</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>410 S. WILMINGTON STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>RALEIGH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NC</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>27601</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President - PESC, LLC</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Units based on value of Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>676</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>676</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Units based on value of Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-04-20</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>4455</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>47.655</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>4455</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>34933</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Management Deferred Compensation Plan units are convertible at a rate of 1 for 1.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Units will be settled 100 percent in cash in accordance with schedule provided in the Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Based upon payment schedule selected on Election Form.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Performance Share Sub Plan units are convertible at a rate of 1 for 1.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Balance reflects a forfeiture of 2,970 units in connection with the April 20, 2004 transaction for Plan Year 2001 due to Plan provisions.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Peter M. Scott III by Robert M. Williams pursuant to POA</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-04-22</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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