Umair Gaines
The history of electricity in South Africa is a fascinating one, with the resource becoming publicly available in the country for the first time in 1860, with the opening of an electric telegraph line. Over the next few decades, electric streetlights were introduced in cities like Kimberley and Cape Town, and the first central power station was built. The Electricity Act of 1922 led to the establishment of Eskom, a government-owned company that became South Africa's primary electricity provider. The company expanded rapidly, constructing several large coal-fired plants and making electricity more accessible to South African homes. Today, Eskom still dominates the electricity sector in South Africa, producing and distributing almost all of the electricity used in the country, and facing challenges such as aging infrastructure and the transition to renewable energy sources.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First public use of electricity | 25 April 1860, with the opening of the electric telegraph line between Cape Town and Simon's Town |
| First electric streetlights | Kimberley, 1882 |
| First central power station | 1884-1890 |
| First municipal electricity supply | 1 July 1898 |
| Founding of Eskom | 1922/1923 |
| First power stations built by Eskom | Mid-1928 |
| Koeberg nuclear power station construction | 1974 |
| Current state of the energy sector | Undergoing transformation, shifting towards greater use of renewables and independent power producers |
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What You'll Learn
Kimberley's electric streetlights in 1882
The city of Kimberley was the first user of public electricity in South Africa. On February 15, 1882, Mayoress Mrs Cornwall of the Diamond City, Kimberley, started the engine to light up the first electric streetlights in South Africa. These were 2000 candlepower ""Brush " arc lamps. The lamps initially illuminated the Market Square with a brilliant light, but they were damaged in transit and failed later that evening. Nine lamps were repaired within a few days, but it wasn't until September 1, 1882, that all sixteen of the first circuit of lamps were functioning properly and were accepted by the Town Council. At this time, Cape Town and London still relied on gas lamps for street lighting.
The electric streetlights in Kimberley were powered by a coal-fired power plant, which was the first of its kind in South Africa. This was a significant advancement in the country's history, as it reduced crime at night and improved the safety and security of the city. The success of the electric streetlights in Kimberley paved the way for the adoption of electricity in other municipalities and laid the foundation for the development of South Africa's energy sector.
Arc lamps, which were commonly used in the late 19th century, produced a brilliant light that was useful for industrial sites like dockyards but could be discomforting on ordinary city streets. They were first used in Los Angeles in 1876, Paris in 1878, and London in 1878 as well. By 1881, New Orleans had 100 arc lamps installed, and by 1886, approximately 30 miles of thoroughfares in New York City were lit by arc lamps.
The adoption of electric streetlights in Kimberley, South Africa, in 1882 was a significant milestone in the country's history. It demonstrated the potential of electricity to transform communities and improve public safety. This development set the stage for further electrification and the evolution of South Africa's energy sector, which continues to play a crucial role in the country's development.
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Cape Town's electric lighting in 1895
The history of electricity in South Africa dates back to the 1800s, with the first public use of electricity recorded in 1860 with the opening of an electric telegraph line between Cape Town and Simon's Town. However, the focus of this narrative is on Cape Town's electric lighting journey, specifically in 1895.
In April 1895, Mrs Smart, the Mayoress of Cape Town, illuminated the city centre by switching on electric streetlights. This event marked a significant milestone in the electrification of Cape Town. The generating station, situated on the banks of the Molteno Reservoir, has been proclaimed a national monument, recognising its historical significance.
The electric streetlights in Cape Town built upon earlier advancements in electricity within the city. Prior to 1895, Cape Town had already established a central power station and distribution system. Completed in 1891, this initial infrastructure supplied power to government buildings in the city. Subsequently, in 1893, the town of Wynberg in Cape Town opened its own power station, providing electricity to a local tram system and public streetlights.
The construction of the Graaff Electric Lighting Works in 1895, named after former mayor David de Villers-Graaff, was a pivotal moment in Cape Town's electrification. This power plant, funded by the mayor himself, supplied electricity to 775 streetlights. The plant was a hydro-electric and steam power plant, utilising water from the Woodhead Reservoir on Table Mountain to generate electricity.
The introduction of electric streetlights in Cape Town brought about a transformation in the city's landscape and functionality. It enhanced visibility and safety within the urban environment, paving the way for further developments and improvements in the city's infrastructure.
In summary, 1895 was a pivotal year for Cape Town's electric lighting journey, with the activation of streetlights and the establishment of the Graaff Electric Lighting Works. These developments built upon the city's earlier forays into electricity, solidifying Cape Town's path towards a more modern and illuminated future.
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The Power Act of 1910
The use of electricity in South Africa began with the opening of the electric telegraph line between Cape Town and Simon’s Town on 25 April 1860. The first electric streetlights in the country were switched on in Kimberley in 1882, followed by Cape Town in 1895, and Pretoria in 1892.
The Power Act of 28 May 1910, also known as the Transvaal Power Act No. 15 of 1910, was introduced by the Transvaal Colonial Government. The Act limited the future existence of the VFP (Victoria Falls and Transvaal Power Company) and authorised its operational expansion, but provided for the state's expropriation of the company or any other electricity undertaking after 35 years. The state viewed electricity provision as a public service that should fall under its authority.
The Act became the basis of government electricity policy in the country, with requirements including the establishment of a Power Undertakings Board, which had the authority to license public power undertakings and their supply areas. It also included an obligation for licensees to charge uniform rates, with regulated prices according to a supervised rebate system of annual "surplus" profits, which were redistributed to consumers based on their consumption.
The Transvaal Power Act was written and passed just three days before the province was amalgamated into the Union of South Africa. The Commission's report, which led to the publication of the Bill, prioritised the requirements of the gold-mining industry, with compromises to satisfy the coal-mining industry and municipalities.
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The Electricity Act of 1922
The use of electricity in South Africa dates back to the late 19th century, with the first public use of electricity occurring in 1860 with the opening of the electric telegraph line between Cape Town and Simon's Town. The country has a large energy sector and is the top coal producer in Africa.
The Act itself was influenced by the findings of a report submitted by Charles Hesterman Merz, a renowned expert in power station design and electrification of railways, in 1920. Merz's report studied South Africa's electrical power needs, and his recommendations were received favourably by the government. A government-appointed committee investigated the implications of the Merz Report, which ultimately led to the passing of the Electricity Act in September 1922.
Today, Eskom operates several notable power stations, including the Kendal Power Station and the Koeberg nuclear power station in the Western Cape Province, the only nuclear power plant in Africa. While coal has dominated electricity production in South Africa for many years, the country is now shifting towards renewable energy sources, with initiatives such as the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) aimed at increasing electricity generation from renewable sources.
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The Koeberg nuclear power station in 1984
The Koeberg nuclear power station is the only one built on the African continent. It is located 30 km north of Cape Town, near Melkbosstrand on the west coast. Koeberg is owned and operated by Eskom, a South African electricity public utility and the largest producer of electricity in Africa.
The Koeberg power station was constructed to be the sole provider of power in the Western Cape. Fossil-fuel power stations were deemed too small and expensive, and nuclear power was considered more economical than transporting coal to the existing stations. Construction of the power station began in 1976, and Unit 1 was synchronised to the grid on 4 April 1984, with Unit 2 following on 25 July 1985.
Koeberg contains two pressurised water reactors based on a design by Framatome of France. Koeberg supplies power to the national grid, and its average annual production is 13,668 GWh. It is rated at 1,860 MW and has two of the largest turbine generators in the Southern Hemisphere.
South Africa's first commercial nuclear power reactor began operating in 1984. The country's nuclear industry dates back to the mid-1940s, and in 1959, the government approved the creation of a domestic nuclear industry. Planning for a research reactor began the following year, in cooperation with the US Atoms for Peace programme.
South Africa has a large energy sector, being the largest economy in Africa. The country consumed 227 TWh of electricity in 2018, and most of its electricity is produced from coal. South Africa is the 7th largest coal producer in the world and the 14th largest emitter of greenhouse gases. The country is planning to shift away from coal and towards renewable energy sources.
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Frequently asked questions
Electricity was first publicly used in South Africa on April 25, 1860, with the opening of an electric telegraph line between Cape Town and Simon’s Town.
In the 1960s, Eskom—South Africa's primary electricity provider—created a national power network.
By 1900, several municipalities, including Kimberley, Rondebosh, Cape Town, Durban, and Bloemfontein, had established their own local electricity supply systems.
