COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 221122

Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

120companies1819–2000founding years114still active6no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedInvensys PLC
1819
FoundedAvista Corporation
1889
FoundedWisconsin Energy Corporation
1896
FoundedManila Electric Company (Meralco)
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
FoundedDominion Resources, Inc.
1909
FoundedPuget Sound Energy Inc.
1912
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedPPL Corporation
1920
FoundedAmeren Corporation
1922
FoundedAllegheny Energy, Inc.
1925
FoundedNational Grid USA
1926
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
FoundedViridian Group plc
1931
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
FoundedPetrobras Energia Participaciones S.A.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedHokkaido Electric Power Company Inc. (HEPCO)
1951
FoundedCompanhia Energética de Minas Gerais S.A. CEMIG
1952
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
FoundedOntario Hydro Services Company
1974
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
FoundedSCANA Corporation
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
FoundedPowergen PLC
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
FoundedGas Natural SDG S.A.
1992
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Invensys PLC →
Defunct · founded 1819 · United Kingdom
Invensys PLC grew out of the merger in 1999 of Britain's Siebe PLC and the British manufacturing conglomerate BTR PLC.
Invensys PLC →
Defunct · founded 1819 · United Kingdom
Invensys PLC grew out of the merger in 1999 of Britain's Siebe PLC and the British manufacturing conglomerate BTR PLC.
WPS Resources Corporation →
Active · founded 1883
WPS Resources Corporation (WPSR) was created in 1993 to act as a utilities holding company.
WPS Resources Corporation →
Active · founded 1883
WPS Resources Corporation (WPSR) was created in 1993 to act as a utilities holding company.
Bewag AG →
Active · founded 1884 · Germany
Berlin-based Bewag AG supplies Germany's capital city with electricity.
Bewag AG →
Active · founded 1884 · Germany
Berlin-based Bewag AG supplies Germany's capital city with electricity.
Avista Corporation →
Active · founded 1889
Avista Corporation operates as a generator, transmitter, and distributor of energy, providing electricity and natural…
Avista Corporation →
Active · founded 1889
Avista Corporation operates as a generator, transmitter, and distributor of energy, providing electricity and natural…
Electrabel N.V. →
Active · founded 1892 · Belgium
Electrabel N.V.
Electrabel N.V. →
Active · founded 1892 · Belgium
Electrabel N.V.
Madison Gas and Electric Company →
Active · founded 1896
Madison Gas and Electric Company (MGE) is a relatively small power company that has remained independent and profitable…
Madison Gas and Electric Company →
Active · founded 1896
Madison Gas and Electric Company (MGE) is a relatively small power company that has remained independent and profitable…
Wisconsin Energy Corporation →
Active · founded 1896
1880s:Henry Villard consolidates Milwaukee's electric and streetcar companies to form the Milwaukee Street Railway…
Wisconsin Energy Corporation →
Active · founded 1896
1880s:Henry Villard consolidates Milwaukee's electric and streetcar companies to form the Milwaukee Street Railway…
Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco) →
Active · founded 1898 · South Korea
State-owned Korea Electric Power Corporation, also known as Kepco, is in the process of dismantling its more than…
Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco) →
Active · founded 1898 · South Korea
State-owned Korea Electric Power Corporation, also known as Kepco, is in the process of dismantling its more than…
Iberdrola, S.A. →
Active · founded 1901 · Spain
Bilbao-based Iberdrola, S.A., with more than nine million customers worldwide, is the second largest electric utility…
Iberdrola, S.A. →
Active · founded 1901 · Spain
Bilbao-based Iberdrola, S.A., with more than nine million customers worldwide, is the second largest electric utility…
Exelon Corporation →
Active · founded 1902
Exelon Corporation was formed from the 2000 merger of PECO Energy Company and Unicom Corporation.
Exelon Corporation →
Active · founded 1902
Exelon Corporation was formed from the 2000 merger of PECO Energy Company and Unicom Corporation.
Manila Electric Company (Meralco) →
Active · founded 1903 · Philippines
The Manila Electric Company, or Meralco, is the Philippines' largest distributor of electrical power.
Manila Electric Company (Meralco) →
Active · founded 1903 · Philippines
The Manila Electric Company, or Meralco, is the Philippines' largest distributor of electrical power.
Minnesota Power, Inc. →
Active · founded 1906
Minnesota Power, Inc., a broadly diversified utility, remains one of the lowest-cost electric producers in the country.
Minnesota Power, Inc. →
Active · founded 1906
Minnesota Power, Inc., a broadly diversified utility, remains one of the lowest-cost electric producers in the country.
Unicom Corporation →
Active · founded 1907
Unicom Corporation was created in 1994 as a holding company for The Commonwealth Edison Co., Inc.
Unicom Corporation →
Active · founded 1907
Unicom Corporation was created in 1994 as a holding company for The Commonwealth Edison Co., Inc.
Dominion Resources, Inc. →
Active · founded 1909
Dominion Resources, Inc.
Dominion Resources, Inc. →
Active · founded 1909
Dominion Resources, Inc.
Edison International →
Active · founded 1909
Edison International, formerly known as SCEcorp, acts as a holding company for Southern California Edison, one of the…
Edison International →
Active · founded 1909
Edison International, formerly known as SCEcorp, acts as a holding company for Southern California Edison, one of the…
Canadian Utilities Limited →
Active · founded 1911 · Canada
Company Origins: 1900-25 The earliest enterprise of Canadian Utilities Limited was Canadian Western Natural Gas…
Canadian Utilities Limited →
Active · founded 1911 · Canada
Company Origins: 1900-25 The earliest enterprise of Canadian Utilities Limited was Canadian Western Natural Gas…
Puget Sound Energy Inc. →
Active · founded 1912
Puget Sound Energy Inc.
Puget Sound Energy Inc. →
Active · founded 1912
Puget Sound Energy Inc.
LG&E Energy Corporation →
Active · founded 1913
LG&E Energy Corporation is a diversified energy services company formed in 1990 as a holding company for the Louisville…
LG&E Energy Corporation →
Active · founded 1913
LG&E Energy Corporation is a diversified energy services company formed in 1990 as a holding company for the Louisville…
PNM Resources Inc. →
Active · founded 1917
PNM Resources Inc.
PNM Resources Inc. →
Active · founded 1917
PNM Resources Inc.
Maine & Maritimes Corporation →
Active · founded 1918
Maine & Maritimes Corporation is the holding company for the subsidiaries Maine Public Service Company (MPS) and Energy…
Maine & Maritimes Corporation →
Active · founded 1918
Maine & Maritimes Corporation is the holding company for the subsidiaries Maine Public Service Company (MPS) and Energy…
PPL Corporation →
Active · founded 1920
PPL Corporation operates as an international energy company providing electricity and natural gas to more than 1.4…
PPL Corporation →
Active · founded 1920
PPL Corporation operates as an international energy company providing electricity and natural gas to more than 1.4…
Pinnacle West Capital Corporation →
Active · founded 1920
Pinnacle West Capital Corporation is a Phoenix-based holding company with consolidated assets of $8 billion and…
Pinnacle West Capital Corporation →
Active · founded 1920
Pinnacle West Capital Corporation is a Phoenix-based holding company with consolidated assets of $8 billion and…
Slough Estates PLC →
Active · founded 1920 · United Kingdom
Slough Estates PLC is Britain's largest industrial property investment company, with a property portfolio valued at…
Slough Estates PLC →
Active · founded 1920 · United Kingdom
Slough Estates PLC is Britain's largest industrial property investment company, with a property portfolio valued at…
Ameren Corporation →
Active · founded 1922
Ameren Corporation provides a variety of energy services to over 2.2 million customers in Missouri and Illinois with a…
Ameren Corporation →
Active · founded 1922
Ameren Corporation provides a variety of energy services to over 2.2 million customers in Missouri and Illinois with a…
Great Plains Energy Incorporated →
Active · founded 1922
Great Plains Energy Incorporated is the holding company for Kansas City Power & Light Company (KCPL), which serves both…
Great Plains Energy Incorporated →
Active · founded 1922
Great Plains Energy Incorporated is the holding company for Kansas City Power & Light Company (KCPL), which serves both…
NorthWestern Corporation →
Active · founded 1923
One of the United States' fastest-growing companies, NorthWestern Corporation is a diversified holding company with…
NorthWestern Corporation →
Active · founded 1923
One of the United States' fastest-growing companies, NorthWestern Corporation is a diversified holding company with…
Allegheny Energy, Inc. →
Active · founded 1925
Allegheny Energy, Inc.
Allegheny Energy, Inc. →
Active · founded 1925
Allegheny Energy, Inc.
FPL Group, Inc. →
Active · founded 1925
Early 1980s:FP&L begins new management style inspired by Japanese practices.
FPL Group, Inc. →
Active · founded 1925
Early 1980s:FP&L begins new management style inspired by Japanese practices.
VEW AG →
Active · founded 1925 · Germany
VEW AG is one of Germany's leading utility companies and is active throughout Europe.
VEW AG →
Active · founded 1925 · Germany
VEW AG is one of Germany's leading utility companies and is active throughout Europe.
Aquila, Inc. →
Active · founded 1926
Aquila, Inc.
Aquila, Inc. →
Active · founded 1926
Aquila, Inc.
National Grid USA →
Active · founded 1926
National Grid USA was formed when London-based National Grid Group plc acquired New England Electric System (NEES) in…
National Grid USA →
Active · founded 1926
National Grid USA was formed when London-based National Grid Group plc acquired New England Electric System (NEES) in…
Northeast Utilities →
Active · founded 1927
Northeast Utilities (NU) is New England's largest utility company.
Northeast Utilities →
Active · founded 1927
Northeast Utilities (NU) is New England's largest utility company.
Niagara Mohawk Holdings Inc. →
Defunct · founded 1929
Niagara Mohawk Holdings Inc.
Niagara Mohawk Holdings Inc. →
Defunct · founded 1929
Niagara Mohawk Holdings Inc.
Viridian Group plc →
Active · founded 1931 · United Kingdom
Viridian Group plc is the holding company that controls Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE), which provides electricity…
Viridian Group plc →
Active · founded 1931 · United Kingdom
Viridian Group plc is the holding company that controls Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE), which provides electricity…
Cleco Corporation →
Active · founded 1934
Cleco Corporation, which employs over 1,400 people, is a major provider of electricity and related services to…
Cleco Corporation →
Active · founded 1934
Cleco Corporation, which employs over 1,400 people, is a major provider of electricity and related services to…
Electricité de France →
Active · founded 1946 · France
France's second largest company, Electricité de France (EDF), is a state-owned utility involved in all phases of…
Electricité de France →
Active · founded 1946 · France
France's second largest company, Electricité de France (EDF), is a state-owned utility involved in all phases of…
Petrobras Energia Participaciones S.A. →
Active · founded 1947 · Argentina
Petrobras Energia Participaciones S.A.
Petrobras Energia Participaciones S.A. →
Active · founded 1947 · Argentina
Petrobras Energia Participaciones S.A.
The Southern Company →
Active · founded 1947
The Southern Company is a utility holding company whose principal subsidiaries provide power in Alabama, Georgia,…
The Southern Company →
Active · founded 1947
The Southern Company is a utility holding company whose principal subsidiaries provide power in Alabama, Georgia,…
Entergy Corporation →
Active · founded 1949
Entergy Corporation is a holding company for utilities that supply electrical energy to over 2.5 million customers in…
Entergy Corporation →
Active · founded 1949
Entergy Corporation is a holding company for utilities that supply electrical energy to over 2.5 million customers in…
Chugoku Electric Power Company Inc. →
Active · founded 1951 · Japan
The Chugoku Electric Power Company Inc.
Chugoku Electric Power Company Inc. →
Active · founded 1951 · Japan
The Chugoku Electric Power Company Inc.
Hokkaido Electric Power Company Inc. (HEPCO) →
Active · founded 1951 · Japan
Hokkaido Electric Power Company Inc.
Hokkaido Electric Power Company Inc. (HEPCO) →
Active · founded 1951 · Japan
Hokkaido Electric Power Company Inc.
Shikoku Electric Power Company, Inc. →
Active · founded 1951 · Japan
Shikoku Electric Power Company, Inc.
Shikoku Electric Power Company, Inc. →
Active · founded 1951 · Japan
Shikoku Electric Power Company, Inc.
The Kansai Electric Power Company, Inc. →
Active · founded 1951 · Japan
The Kansai Electric Power Company, Inc.
The Kansai Electric Power Company, Inc. →
Active · founded 1951 · Japan
The Kansai Electric Power Company, Inc.
Companhia Energética de Minas Gerais S.A. CEMIG →
Active · founded 1952 · Brazil
Companhia Energética de Minas Gerais S.A.
Companhia Energética de Minas Gerais S.A. CEMIG →
Active · founded 1952 · Brazil
Companhia Energética de Minas Gerais S.A.
Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd. →
Active · founded 1956 · India
Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd.
Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd. →
Active · founded 1956 · India
Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd.
Genting Bhd. →
Active · founded 1965 · Malaysia
Genting Bhd.
Genting Bhd. →
Active · founded 1965 · Malaysia
Genting Bhd.
Ontario Hydro Services Company →
Active · founded 1974 · Canada
Ontario Hydro Services Company (OHSC) is a government-owned energy services provider based in Ontario, Canada.
Ontario Hydro Services Company →
Active · founded 1974 · Canada
Ontario Hydro Services Company (OHSC) is a government-owned energy services provider based in Ontario, Canada.
Viscofan S.A. →
Active · founded 1975 · Spain
Viscofan S.A.
Viscofan S.A. →
Active · founded 1975 · Spain
Viscofan S.A.
AES Corporation →
Active · founded 1981
AES Corporation is one of the largest independent producers of electrical power in the world, with an ownership stake…
AES Corporation →
Active · founded 1981
AES Corporation is one of the largest independent producers of electrical power in the world, with an ownership stake…
Unión Fenosa, S.A. →
Defunct · founded 1982 · Spain
Unión Fenosa, S.A.
Unión Fenosa, S.A. →
Defunct · founded 1982 · Spain
Unión Fenosa, S.A.
SCANA Corporation →
Active · founded 1984
SCANA Corporation is a diversified holding company headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina.
SCANA Corporation →
Active · founded 1984
SCANA Corporation is a diversified holding company headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina.
Unitil Corporation →
Active · founded 1984
Unitil Corporation is a public utility holding company system.
Unitil Corporation →
Active · founded 1984
Unitil Corporation is a public utility holding company system.
Fortis, Inc. →
Active · founded 1987 · Canada
Fortis, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is the leading distributor of electricity in the Province of Newfoundland and…
Fortis, Inc. →
Active · founded 1987 · Canada
Fortis, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is the leading distributor of electricity in the Province of Newfoundland and…
Powergen PLC →
Active · founded 1989 · United Kingdom
Powergen PLC is a leading integrated gas and electric company created from the breakup of the nationalized electricity…
Powergen PLC →
Active · founded 1989 · United Kingdom
Powergen PLC is a leading integrated gas and electric company created from the breakup of the nationalized electricity…
Scottish and Southern Energy plc →
Active · founded 1989 · United Kingdom
Scottish and Southern Energy plc (SSE) operates as one of the largest energy concerns in the United Kingdom.
Scottish and Southern Energy plc →
Active · founded 1989 · United Kingdom
Scottish and Southern Energy plc (SSE) operates as one of the largest energy concerns in the United Kingdom.
United Utilities PLC →
Active · founded 1989 · United Kingdom
United Utilities PLC is a pioneering "multi-utility" group combining operations in water supply and electric power…
United Utilities PLC →
Active · founded 1989 · United Kingdom
United Utilities PLC is a pioneering "multi-utility" group combining operations in water supply and electric power…
Gas Natural SDG S.A. →
Active · founded 1992 · Spain
Spain's Gas Natural SDG S.A.
Gas Natural SDG S.A. →
Active · founded 1992 · Spain
Spain's Gas Natural SDG S.A.
Vattenfall AB →
Active · founded 1992 · Sweden
Sweden's Vattenfall AB is vying for a leading role in Europe's energy generation and transmission market.
Vattenfall AB →
Active · founded 1992 · Sweden
Sweden's Vattenfall AB is vying for a leading role in Europe's energy generation and transmission market.
Westar Energy, Inc. →
Active · founded 1992 · Topeka, Kansas 66601-0889
1930s:KPL acquires the United Power and Light Corporation.
Westar Energy, Inc. →
Active · founded 1992 · Topeka, Kansas 66601-0889
1930s:KPL acquires the United Power and Light Corporation.
International Power PLC →
Active · founded 2000 · United Kingdom
International Power PLC is the largest of the three main electricity-generating companies created from the breakup of…
International Power PLC →
Active · founded 2000 · United Kingdom
International Power PLC is the largest of the three main electricity-generating companies created from the breakup of…
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