Molly Ayala
The history of electricity in South Africa dates back to the late 19th century, with the introduction of electric streetlights and early power plants. The city of Kimberley became the first user of public electricity in South Africa when it installed electric streetlights in 1882. Cape Town also witnessed early developments, with the installation of arc lamps at the Cape Town Railway Station in 1881 and the establishment of lighting plants in the late 1890s. The Electricity Act of 1922 played a pivotal role in the establishment of a government-owned company, Eskom, which became the primary electricity provider in South Africa. Over the years, Eskom expanded its operations with the construction of coal-fired power plants and the development of a national power network. While Eskom has faced financial challenges and criticism, the South African government has taken steps to support and reform the company. Today, South Africa is transitioning towards renewable energy sources, with investments in solar, wind, and hydroelectric power.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First electric streetlights | 15 February 1882 |
| First electric streetlights fully functional | 1 September 1882 |
| First central power station and distribution system | 1891 |
| Lighting plant built at Wynberg, Cape Town | 1893 |
| First municipal power station built by the City of Cape Town | 1895 |
| The Rand Central Electric Works at Brakpan commissioned | 1897 |
| First 1 MW turbines installed | August 1903 |
| Electricity Act passed | 1922 |
| Eskom founded | 1923 |
| Koeberg nuclear power station construction started | 1974 |
| Koeberg nuclear power station starts producing electricity | 1984 |
| South Africa produced around | 245,000 GWh of electricity in 2021 |
| South Africa exported | 12,300 GWh of electricity in 2022 |
| South Africa imported | 10,800 GWh of electricity in 2022 |
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What You'll Learn
Electric streetlights in Kimberley, 1882
On 2 September 1882, sixteen electric streetlights were switched on in Kimberley, making it the first town in South Africa and the Southern Hemisphere to have electric streetlights. Four of these lights were located outside the City Hall, with four more on the corners of Market Square. The streetlights were powered by a coal-fired power plant, and they were installed to improve safety at night.
The first test of the streetlights had been conducted on 15 February 1882, when Mrs Cornwall, Mayoress of Kimberley, started the engine to light up the first electric streetlights in South Africa. These were 2000 candlepower "Brush" arc lamps, and they initially threw out a brilliant light at the Market Square. However, the lamps were damaged in transit and failed later that evening. Nine lamps were repaired within a few days, but it took until 1 September 1882 for all sixteen lamps to be working satisfactorily and accepted by the Town Council.
Kimberley's electric streetlights were a significant development in the history of electricity in South Africa. The country's first central power station and distribution system, consisting of a 150 kW generator with two boilers, was completed in 1891 in Cape Town Harbour to supply power to government buildings. This was followed by the construction of power stations in Wynberg (1893), Johannesburg (1892), and Pretoria (1897).
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Cape Town Railway Station, 1881
On the 12th of October 1881, six 2000 candle-power "Brush" arc lamps were strung up to the dome of the Cape Town Railway Station. The Cape Argus reported the next day that the station was "thronged with citizens of both sexes, curious to witness the illumination of the building for the first time with the electric light". This was a significant moment, as it represented the first public electric lighting in South Africa.
The Cape Town Railway Station, located in the central business district, has a long history that dates back even further. The first railway station in Cape Town was a rudimentary wooden structure built in 1861 and was located on the site of the present Golden Acre shopping centre. In 1876, Cape Prime Minister John Molteno began construction of a new, larger station on the same site to accommodate the rapidly expanding railway network. This new station, now known as the Cape Town Railway Station, would become the central hub for train traffic in the city.
Over the years, the station complex expanded to include goods stations and other facilities on a large tract of land between Strand Street and the shore. By 1881, Cape Town had already established itself as an early adopter of new technology, with a functioning telephone network and a small electric motor demonstrated at the South African Industrial Exhibition in 1884.
The lighting up of the Cape Town Railway Station in 1881 was a significant milestone in the history of electricity in South Africa. While the city of Kimberley was the first to install electric streetlights in 1882, Cape Town had already taken significant steps towards electrification, with the railway station illumination being a notable example. This early adoption of electricity helped pave the way for further developments in the country's electrical infrastructure.
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Cape Town's first central power station, 1895
The history of electricity in South Africa dates back to the late 19th century. Cape Town, a pioneer in the field, played a significant role in the early years of electricity in the country.
In 1895, Cape Town took a pivotal step forward in its journey towards electrification with the commissioning of its first central power station, marking a defining moment in the city's history. Known as the Graaff Electric Lighting Works, this power station was a testament to the city's embrace of modern technology. Located on the banks of the Molteno Reservoir, the power station harnessed the power of both steam and water to generate electricity, with water sourced from the Woodhead Reservoir on Table Mountain. The plant's dynamos, or generators, were capable of being driven by either steam or water power, showcasing the city's early commitment to utilising diverse energy sources.
The construction of the power station was made possible thanks to the foresight and personal funding of David de Villers-Graaff, the mayor of Cape Town from 1891 to 1892. The plant was named in his honour and cost £75,000 in 1895, which is equivalent to a substantial £10,943,000 in 2025. De Villers-Graaff was a strong advocate for the adoption of electricity, especially for public lighting, recognising its potential to transform the city.
The Graaff Electric Lighting Works played a crucial role in powering Cape Town's streetlights. In fact, it supplied power to 775 streetlights, illuminating the city and enhancing safety and convenience for its residents. This development marked a significant upgrade from the gas lamps that Cape Town had relied on previously, bringing the city into a new era of modern infrastructure.
The establishment of Cape Town's first central power station in 1895 laid the foundation for the city's future development and set a precedent for the wider adoption of electricity across South Africa. It demonstrated the potential of electricity as a viable and powerful energy source, paving the way for further innovations and advancements in the country's electricity sector.
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Transvaal Power Company, 1906
The history of electricity in South Africa dates back to the late 19th century, with the first use of public electricity in 1882 in Kimberley, where electric street lights were powered by a coal-fired plant. However, the focus of this paragraph is on the Transvaal Power Company, which was established in 1906.
The Victoria Falls and Transvaal Power Company (VFTPC), formed in 1906, was a significant player in South Africa's electricity sector during its early years. The company was registered in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and aimed to harness the power of Victoria Falls to generate electricity for the growing industries in the region. The VFTPC's main facilities were based in the Transvaal, South Africa, and it supplied power to gold mines and industries in the area. The company was formed through the sale of concessions by the African Concessions Syndicate (ACS), a subsidiary of the British South Africa Company established by Cecil John Rhodes.
The VFTPC's history can be traced back to the formation of the Victoria Falls Power Company (VFPC) on 17 October 1906, which later changed its name to VFTPC. The VFPC faced challenges with its initial plan to generate power at Victoria Falls due to the low water flow during the dry season and limitations of transmission line technology at the time. As a result, the company shifted its focus to exploiting coal deposits in the Transvaal Colony.
The VFPC, and later the VFTPC, played a crucial role in consolidating power generation and supply in the region. They acquired several smaller power companies, such as the General Electric Power Company and the Rand Central Electric Works Ltd., expanding their reach and capacity. The VFTPC also formed subsidiary companies, such as the Rand Mines Power Supply Company, to manage specific aspects of power generation and supply.
The VFTPC's operations grew significantly over the years, and by 1915, they operated four thermal power stations with a total installed capacity of more than 160 megawatts. The company continued to supply power until 1948 when it was expropriated by Eskom, the government-owned electricity provider established in 1922. The VFTPC was bought out by Eskom for a substantial sum, marking a new chapter in South Africa's electricity sector, with Eskom becoming the primary electricity provider in the country.
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Electricity Act, 1922
The use of electricity in South Africa can be traced back to the late 19th century. In 1881, Cape Town Railway Station was illuminated with "Brush" arc lamps, and the following year, the city of Kimberley became the first user of public electricity in South Africa, installing electric streetlights to reduce crime. Cape Town also had a central power station and distribution system completed in 1891 to supply power to government buildings.
The Electricity Act of 1922 was a pivotal moment in the electrification of South Africa. The Act led to the establishment of Eskom (Electricity Supply Commission), a government-owned non-profit company with the mandate to supply electricity at cost to various entities, including government departments, local authorities, and industrial undertakings. The Act also called for the creation of an Electricity Control Board (ECB) to license and regulate electricity undertakings, and it set the institutional framework for a large, single supplier of electricity for big industry and rural areas.
Eskom was officially established in 1923 and became South Africa's primary electricity provider. Over time, it acquired other power companies, such as the Victoria Falls and Transvaal Power Company in 1948. However, Eskom's history has also been marked by financial scandals, tariff increases, and more recently, operational failures and corruption scandals.
Today, Eskom operates notable power stations like Matimba, Medupi, and Kusile, and it generates approximately 95% of the electricity used in South Africa. However, the company has faced challenges, including aging coal power stations, financial instability, and a transition towards renewable energy sources. The South African government has been working towards increasing the use of renewables and independent power producers, with companies like Wetility investing in solar and battery systems.
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Frequently asked questions
The city of Kimberley was the first user of public electricity in South Africa when it installed electric streetlights in 1882.
The first central power station and distribution system in South Africa was completed in 1891. It consisted of a 150 kW generator with two boilers and was located at Cape Town Harbour.
Eskom, South Africa's government-owned main electricity supplier, built a national power network in the 1960s.
South Africa produced around 245,000 GWh of electricity in 2021, most of which was produced using coal. The country's energy sector is now undergoing a transformation towards the greater use of renewables and a greater prevalence of independent power producers.
