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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.4
 
                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
     We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" and to
the use of our report, dated July 18, 1996, with respect to the financial
statements of Gilroy Energy Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Gilroy Foods,
Inc., which in turn is a wholly owned subsidiary of McCormick & Company, Inc.,
as of and for the years ended November 30, 1995 and 1994 included in the
Registration Statement (Form S-4) and related Prospectus of Calpine Corporation
for the registration of $275,000,000 of its 8 3/4% Senior Notes Due 2007.
 
                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
Baltimore, Maryland
November 26, 1997
