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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 WPqHa1oELNZMJFY3sRFeg5CRzgb83jNuOQKt7n+yLkor8R7o15Y971T6D4yUJ5K6
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001094093-10-000187.txt : 20101005
<SEC-HEADER>0001094093-10-000187.hdr.sgml : 20101005
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20101005133608
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001094093-10-000187
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20101001
FILED AS OF DATE:		20101005
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20101005

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MULLIN JOHN H III
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001195422

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-15929
		FILM NUMBER:		101108581

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 1551
		CITY:			FALEIGH
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27602

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
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-10-01</periodOfReport>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001195422</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MULLIN JOHN H III</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>700 RIDGEWAY FARM LANE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BROOKNEAL</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>VA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>24528</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Units based on value of Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-10-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>167</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>44.86</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>167</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>20744</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Units based on value of Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>13775</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>13775</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan units convertible at a rate of 1 for 1.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Units will be settled 100 percent in cash following the undersigned's retirement from the Board.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Based upon payment schedule selected by the undersigned.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Includes 294 units acquired through routine dividend reinvestment transactions that are exempt under Rule 16a-11.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Directors' Stock Unit Plan units convertible at a rate of 1 for 1.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">Includes 196 units acquired through routine dividend reinvestment transactions that are exempt under Rule 16a-11.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>John H. Mullin, III by Holly H. Wenger pursuant to POA</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-10-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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