Umair Gaines
The introduction of electricity to Asia was a gradual process that began in the late 19th century. The first use of electricity in Asia is believed to have occurred in Japan, with the switching on of an arc lamp at the Institute of Technology in Toranomon, Tokyo, in March 1878. This was followed by the establishment of Tokyo Electric Lighting in 1886, which began supplying electricity to the public in 1887. However, the first city in Asia to have electricity is a matter of debate. While some sources claim it was Bangalore in 1906, others suggest that it was Darjeeling, with the first hydroelectric installation in India in 1897, or Calcutta (now Kolkata) in 1879. The hydro-electric power plants at Darjeeling and Shivanasamudra, established in 1898 and 1902 respectively, were among the first in Asia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First city in Asia to have electricity | Tokyo, Japan |
| Date electricity first used in Asia | 25 March 1878 |
| Location of first electricity use in Asia | Institute of Technology in Toranomon, Tokyo |
| Type of electricity use | An arc lamp was switched on |
| Occasion | Commemoration of the opening of the Central Telegraph Office |
| First city in India to have electricity | Darjeeling, Calcutta (now Kolkata), or Bangalore |
| Date of first electricity in India | 1897, 1879, or 1906 |
| Company involved in first electricity supply in India | P.W. Fleury & Co. |
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What You'll Learn
- The first city in Asia to have electricity was in Japan
- The first electric street light in Asia was in Bangalore
- Darjeeling Municipality had India's first hydroelectric installation
- Calcutta (now Kolkata) had India's first electric lighting license
- Tokyo Electric Lighting was Japan's first electricity company
The first city in Asia to have electricity was in Japan
On March 25, 1878, electricity was first used in Asia at the Institute of Technology in Toranomon, Tokyo, Japan. An arc lamp was switched on to commemorate the opening of the Central Telegraph Office.
This first use of electricity in Asia predates the electrification of Indian cities such as Calcutta (now Kolkata), Darjeeling, and Bangalore. Calcutta first demonstrated electric light in 1879, and Darjeeling got its first hydroelectric installation in 1897. Bangalore, often cited as the first Asian city to be electrified, received electricity in 1906. However, this claim has been disputed, with some sources suggesting that the Seoul Electric Company, founded in 1898, predates Bangalore's electrification.
Returning to Japan, the country's first electricity company, Tokyo Electric Lighting, began operations in 1886 and started supplying electricity to the public the following year. By 1896, Japan had 33 electricity companies, and the number of electric lights with a power supply had increased to 120,000. This rapid expansion of the electricity sector in Japan highlights the country's early adoption and dissemination of electrical power in Asia.
In summary, while various cities in Asia, including those in India and Korea, made significant strides in electrification during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it was Tokyo, Japan, that first experienced the benefits of electricity in the continent, solidifying its place as the pioneer in bringing electricity to Asia.
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The first electric street light in Asia was in Bangalore
The first electric street light in Asia was lit in Bangalore on 5 August 1905. Bangalore was also the first city in India to have electricity, in 1906. However, some sources dispute this, claiming that electrification of Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) began in 1899, and that the first hydroelectric installation in India was installed in Darjeeling in 1897.
The introduction of electric street lighting in Bangalore was a significant milestone in the history of electricity in Asia. It marked the beginning of the widespread use of electricity for lighting on the continent. Prior to this, electricity had been used for lighting in a limited capacity, such as the demonstration of electric light in Calcutta in 1879.
The electrification of Bangalore was a result of the efforts of the Bangalore Electric Supply Company (BESCOM). BESCOM was established in 1905 with the goal of providing electricity to the city. The company faced several challenges in its early years, including securing funding for the project and establishing a reliable power source. However, through perseverance and innovation, they were able to successfully bring electricity to the city and light its streets.
The impact of electric street lighting in Bangalore was far-reaching. It transformed the cityscape, making it brighter and safer at night. It also had a positive impact on the local economy, as businesses and shops were able to stay open later, and it improved the quality of life for residents by providing a more convenient and reliable source of lighting. The success of electrification in Bangalore set a precedent for other cities in Asia, inspiring them to follow suit and embrace the benefits of electricity.
Today, Bangalore is a bustling metropolis and a major economic hub in India. It is known for its thriving technology and start-up culture, earning it the nickname "Silicon Valley of India". The city has come a long way since its early days as a pioneer in electricity, and it continues to be a centre of innovation and progress.
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Darjeeling Municipality had India's first hydroelectric installation
On 11 February 1896, the Darjeeling Municipality decided to set up a hydroelectric power station to light the town. The project was to be located at the foot of the Arya Tea Estate at Sidrapong, 12km from Darjeeling town. The Darjeeling Municipality Commissioners secured a loan of ₹1 lakh (₹100,000) from the government to fund the project. The site was owned by the Maharajah of Burdwan, who was pleased to hand over the land to the municipality for the public interest.
The first hydroelectric installation in India was commissioned on 10 November 1897, with a capacity of 2 x 65 kW. The power station used water from the jhoras (Nepalese for 'streams') Kotwali, Hospital and Barbatia, channelled through a network of flumes to reservoirs. The water was then passed down 220-metre (720 ft) penstocks to the generators.
In the first few years, the Darjeeling Municipality ran the power station at a loss, as there were few consumers of electrical power. However, as demand grew, additional sets were added in 1905 and 1909, and a new power house was built in 1916. The total capacity of the station grew from 130 kW to 1000 kW.
In 1931, the old machines were replaced, and the power supply was modernised by switching from single-phase 83 Hz to three-phase 50 Hz. The West Bengal State Electricity Board (WBSEB) took over the operation of the station in 1978.
The Sidrapong Hydroelectric Power Station is recognised as India's first hydroelectric installation and one of Asia's oldest power stations.
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Calcutta (now Kolkata) had India's first electric lighting license
Calcutta, now known as Kolkata, played a significant role in the history of electricity in India and Asia. The introduction of electricity in Calcutta was a landmark event, and it became the first city in India to secure an electric lighting license.
The journey towards electrification in Calcutta began in the late 19th century. On July 24, 1879, P.W. Fleury & Co. conducted the first demonstration of electric light in the city. This early effort laid the foundation for further development. The Government of Bengal, recognizing the potential of electricity, passed the Calcutta Electric Lighting Act in 1895. This act paved the way for the granting of the first electric lighting license in India.
On January 7, 1897, Kilburn & Co., as agents of the Indian Electric Co. Ltd., secured the coveted Calcutta electric lighting license. The license was granted for a period of 21 years and covered an initial area of 5.64 square miles. The company, registered in London on January 15, 1897, played a pivotal role in bringing electricity to the city. A month after securing the license, the company was renamed the Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation Limited, reflecting its dedicated focus on powering Calcutta.
The electrification of Calcutta proceeded in stages. By the late 19th century, institutions such as the Bank of Bengal (now the State Bank of India) and the Bengal Club were supplied with electricity on a trial basis. Harrison Road, now known as Mahatma Gandhi Road, became the first street in Calcutta to be illuminated by electric lights between 1889 and 1892. The municipal consultant for this project was the renowned Dr. Jagadish Chandra Bose. The Emambaugh Lane generating station, commissioned on April 17, 1899, further expanded the city's access to electricity.
The success of electricity in Calcutta inspired its introduction in other cities, such as Bombay (now Mumbai). Calcutta's experience served as a model for the adoption and expansion of electrical infrastructure across India and Asia.
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Tokyo Electric Lighting was Japan's first electricity company
The first city in Asia to have electricity was in Japan. On March 25, 1878, an arc lamp was switched on at the Institute of Technology in Toranomon, Tokyo, to commemorate the opening of the Central Telegraph Office.
Tokyo Electric Lighting, also known as the Tokyo Electric Lighting Company, was Japan's first electricity company. It commenced operations in 1886 and began supplying electricity to the public in 1887. The company was capitalized at ¥200,000 and was granted a charter to generate, distribute electricity, and sell lighting accessories.
In November 1885, the company used a Japanese-made portable generator to light 40 incandescent lamps in the Bank of Tokyo. The following year, in 1886, regular service began. A coal-fired thermal station, generating 25 kilowatts (kW), began operating in November 1887. By 1892, 14,100 lamps had been installed in post offices, banks, ministries, and Japan's first modern factories.
The company used thermal plants because coal was plentiful, and the only other domestic energy resource, major river systems, was beyond the range of its primitive transmission technology. Hydroelectric power generation, introduced by the city of Kyoto in 1891, would become Japan's leading prewar electricity source, but it was available to Tokyo only over long-distance trunk lines. The company began to consolidate neighborhood thermal plants, and by 1897 it had ten units in the Asakusa Kuramae power station, aggregating a capacity of 2,390 kW. Distribution efficiency improved in 1907 with 55 kilovolts (kV) transmission. By 1911, the company was also manufacturing tungsten bulbs.
Tokyo Electric Lighting remained the largest utility in the country even as the number of generating and distribution companies rose from 11 in 1892 to 1,752 by 1915. Its service region encompassed the political capital, a major university center, and a burgeoning satellite of heavy and light industrial complexes and their international trading ports.
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Frequently asked questions
The first city in Asia to have electricity was Tokyo, Japan. On March 25, 1878, electricity was first used at the Institute of Technology in Toranomon, Tokyo.
The first city in India to have electricity commercially was Darjeeling. The first hydroelectric installation in India was installed near a tea estate at Sidrapong for the Darjeeling Municipality in 1897. However, the first electric street light in Asia was lit in Bangalore on August 5, 1905.
Electricity was initially used primarily for lighting and gradually found broader applications as a power source.
