Wiktor Wise
The arrival of electricity in British households was a gradual process that took place over several decades. The first public electricity generator in Britain was installed in Godalming, Surrey, in 1881. The Electric Lighting Acts of 1882 to 1909 allowed local authorities and companies to apply for licences to supply electricity, and the Electricity Supply Act of 1926 introduced the first effective national coordination. By the 1930s, new homes in urban areas of Britain were being lit by electricity, and the number of homes with electricity increased significantly during this decade.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of first public electricity generator in Britain | 1881 |
| Date of the Electric Light Act | 1882 |
| Date of the first hydro-electric plant in the UK | 1878 |
| Date of the first coal-fired power station in the world | 1882 |
| Date of the Electricity (Supply) Act | 1926 |
| Date when new homes in urban areas of Britain were being lit by electricity | 1930s |
| Percentage of homes wired up by the end of the 1930s | 66% |
| Date when coal use in power stations fell | 1990s |
| Date when coal power ceased | 2024 |
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What You'll Learn
The Electric Lighting Acts
The first of these acts, the Electric Lighting Act of 1882, was a landmark legislation that laid the foundation for the electricity industry in the UK. It empowered the Board of Trade to authorise and regulate the supply of electricity for lighting and other purposes in Great Britain and Ireland. This act recognised the need for standardised regulations and specified the roles and responsibilities of various entities involved in electricity supply.
The 1882 Act comprised 37 sections, addressing a range of topics beyond just authorisation. These topics included the powers of local authorities and companies, land acquisition, construction of electrical works, cable installation, theft and damage prevention, protection of canals and mines, and financial considerations. Notably, Section 29 allowed the Board of Trade to relieve gas undertakings of their obligation to supply gas if adequate electric lighting was provided, reflecting the transition from gas to electric lighting.
The Electric Lighting Act of 1888 built upon the initial legislation by amending specific provisions. It extended the local authority reversion period from 21 to 42 years, addressing the long-term nature of electricity infrastructure projects. The Electric Lighting (Clauses) Act of 1899 further refined the legislation by consolidating the clauses and provisions from the previous acts, ensuring consistency in the evolving electricity industry.
The final act of this series, the Electric Lighting Act of 1909, amended prior legislation to account for technical developments and the evolving nature of electricity supply. While these acts focused on the regulatory framework, they also played a crucial role in the practical implementation of electricity in British households. By the 1930s, electricity had become a common feature in new homes in urban areas, offering clean, convenient, and modern lighting solutions. The Electric Lighting Acts paved the way for the National Grid to expand electricity access across Britain, transforming homes and improving the daily lives of countless individuals.
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The Industrial Revolution
In 1881, the first public electricity generator in Britain was installed in Godalming, Surrey, and the following year, the Electric Light Act was passed, the first public measure dealing with electricity supply. The Electric Lighting Acts of 1882 to 1909 permitted local authorities and companies to apply for licences to supply electricity. By the 1890s, electricity was common in the homes of wealthy individuals, and by the 1900s, metropolitan areas were widely supplied with electricity.
In 1900, several Acts of Parliament were passed, granting power companies the right to supply electricity to authorised undertakings and for industrial and manufacturing purposes. This led to the creation of local power stations by councils. The 1920s saw the first suburbs built with electricity from the start, and in 1925, the British government asked Lord Weir, a Glaswegian industrialist, to address the country's inefficient and fragmented electricity supply industry. The Electricity (Supply) Act of 1926 introduced the first effective national coordination, creating the Central Electricity Board to concentrate electricity generation in a limited number of power stations. The Central Electricity Board also ran a competition in 1927 to design structures to link the country with electricity, with the winning design coming from the Milliken Brothers, US-based engineers.
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The Victorian era
During Queen Victoria's reign, from 1837 to 1901, technological advancements transformed life in ordinary houses. At the start of the Victorian era, most homes were lit by candles and oil lamps. However, by the end of the period, gas lighting had become common in urban homes, and electricity was being introduced.
The Victorian period witnessed significant advancements in energy, with the world's first coal-fired power station, the Edison Electric Light Station, built in London in 1882, promising to supply light and warmth to the city's homes. The first hydro-electric plant began operating in Cragside, UK, in 1878, and in 1888, Cleveland, Ohio became home to the first windmill that generated electricity.
Despite these developments, electricity was still a novelty for many during the Victorian era. The dangers associated with electricity were widely known, such as Thomas Edison's killing of an elephant with AC power. As a result, Victorians worked on inventing new safety measures, such as 'ground wires', which provide a safe exit point for electricity in the event of a cable break.
The standard method for running power through buildings during the Victorian era was the 'knob and tube wiring' system, which used lower electrical loads than modern systems. This system involved separate cables for the "in" and "out" wires, with porcelain posts keeping the wires from touching surrounding materials or each other.
Electric lighting and power were considered a luxury during the turn of the century, and wealthy families could afford to have electrical call and burglar alarm systems in their homes. The fascination with electricity during this period is evident, with over 1000 people in Victoria travelling to see the electric lights on a docked ship in 1879.
While electricity was being introduced in many households towards the end of the Victorian era, it was still not commonplace, and gas lighting remained the primary source of illumination in most homes.
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The 20th century
The Electric Lighting Acts of 1882 to 1909 allowed local authorities and companies to apply for licences to supply electricity. By 1900, several Acts of Parliament granted power companies the right to supply electricity for industrial and manufacturing purposes, and to authorised undertakings. This marked the beginning of the industry, with councils building small power stations.
In 1925, the British government turned to Lord Weir, a Glaswegian industrialist, to address the country's fragmented electricity supply industry. This led to the Electricity (Supply) Act of 1926, which recommended the creation of a "national gridiron" supply system. The Central Electricity Board was formed to concentrate electricity generation in a limited number of power stations, and electricity was fed to twelve local electricity boards, such as the London Electricity Board and the Yorkshire Electricity Board.
The 1920s and 1930s saw electricity become a common feature in new homes in Britain's urban areas and suburbs. The design of stylish pylons by the Milliken Brothers in 1927, chosen by architect Sir Reginald Bloomfield, played a key role in delivering electricity across the country. These pylons enabled the transmission of electricity, bringing light and power to homes.
By the 1930s, electricity was lighting and powering appliances in urban homes, with electric light sockets doubling up to power early irons and toasters. The 20th century thus saw a transformation in household energy use, with electricity becoming an essential part of daily life in Britain.
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The Central Electricity Board
The arrival of electricity in British households was a gradual process, with the number of homes wired for electricity increasing from 6% in 1919 to two-thirds by the end of the 1930s. During this period of electrification, the Central Electricity Board (CEB) played a significant role in the development and management of the electricity supply industry in Britain.
One of the key challenges faced by the Central Electricity Board was keeping up with the growing demand for electricity. In 1940, during World War II, the CEB, in agreement with the Electricity Commissioners, proposed a programme to increase generating capacity to meet the increased demand associated with the development of munitions factories. This programme included the installation of new plants in existing and new power stations, such as the one at Earley, east of Reading, which was the only power station owned by the CEB.
While the Central Electricity Board was instrumental in the early development of the electricity supply industry in Britain, it is important to note that the CEB underwent various changes and evolved into different entities. The specific timelines and organisational structures of the CEB and its successor organisations would require further exploration to provide a comprehensive understanding of the electricity industry's evolution in Britain.
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Frequently asked questions
Electricity became common in British households in the 20th century. The first public electricity generator in Britain was installed in Godalming, Surrey, in 1881. The Electric Light Act of 1882 was the first public measure dealing with electricity supply.
Before the invention of gas and electric lighting, the greatest light source indoors usually came from a fixed fire in the grate. Candles and oil lamps also provided dim but mobile light around the home.
The first public electricity generator in Britain was installed in Godalming, Surrey, in 1881.
