Early Public Electricity Supply In The South West

The South West had many pioneering electricity supply companies and authorities in the early days of the industry.

Danger plate from an electricity supply substation in Bridport

Danger plate from an electricity supply substation in Bridport

1886 Taunton Electric Light Co. at St.James Street (Mr.Massingham)
1887 St.Austell (J.E.Veale & Co.) at North Street taken over by St.Austell & District Electric Light & Power Co.Ltd in 1900.
1888 Okehampton (First Hydro Scheme by Mr.Henry Geen, waterwheel on East Okement River at Blatchfords)
1889
(Sept)
Exeter Electric Light Co. at North Street (Mr.Massingham)
1889
(Oct)
Keynsham Electric Supply Co. (Dynamo suppling the Public Hall, Bath Hill, later hydro scheme on the River Chew possibly by George Parfitt – Chief Engineer)
1890
(June)
Bath – City Of Bath Electric Light Co. at Dorchester Street (Mr.Massingham)
1890
(Mar)
Lynton & Lynmouth Electric Light Co. Lynmouth Hydro (Mr.Chas.Geen)
1891
(Sept)
Chagford – Hydro Scheme (Mr.George Reed)
1893
(Aug)
Bristol Corporation Electricity Department at Temple Back
1896
(Mar)
Mevagissey On The West Quay
1898 Torquay Corporation at Beacon Quay
1899
(Sept)
City of Plymouth Electricity Department at Prince Rock
1901
(May)
Weston-Super-Mare & District Electric Supply Co. at Locking Road
1902 Devonport Corporation at Newport Street
1902
(Oct)
Dartmouth (Urban Electric Supply Co.) at Sand Quay
1902
(Dec)
Minehead Electric Supply Co. at Quay Street, later Marshfield Road, Alcombe
1902 Carn Brea (Urban Electric Supply Co.)
1903
(Jan)
Barnstaple Corporation at Castle Street
1903
(May)
Ilfracombe Electric Light & Power Co. Site ?
1904 Totnes (Electric Supply Corporation Ltd.) at Antrim Terrace
1905
(Apr)
Exmouth (Electric Supply Corporation Ltd.) Site ?
1906 Buckfastleigh by monks at monastery using waterwheel
1908
(Apr)
Bude Electric Supply Co. at The Strand
1909
(Dec)
Ivybridge (W.G.Heath & Co.,Plymouth) using waterwheel at Union Mills
1910-1911 Cornwall Electric Power Company at Hayle
1910 Holsworthy El. Supply Co.
1911 Brixham Gas & El Co.
Dawlish
1912
(Feb)
Braunton
Launceston
1913 North Somerset Supply Co.
1914 Burnham
Dulverton
Tavistock
by W.G.Heath & Co
1915 Street as Mid-Somerset El. Supply Co.
1922 Teignmouth
1923
(July 20th)
Lyme Regis
1923 Sidmouth
Culm Valley
Chudleigh
Yeovil
Bradninch
Silverton
Newton Abbot
by Urban El. Supply Co.
1924 Seaton
Tiverton
1925 South Molton
Budleigh Salterton
1926 Bampton
1927 Crediton
Bere Ferrers
1928 Axminster & Chard
Plymouth St.Mary
1930 Wellington
East Devon
Salcombe

Also see Generating Stations in the South West

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