Southern Electric is a brand that is still used today by SSE, but it was once a different company that supplied electricity in South of England.
Use of the Southern Electric Brand Today?
The Southern Electric name can still be seen today as the name remains part of the SSE brand in the South of England and maintains some of the original company’s heritage. They have offices in Reading and Berkshire that still use the Southern Electric branding alongside that of SSE for retail distribution of both electricity and gas in the South of England.
The Southern Electric name is also visible on their livered vehicles.
The distribution arm of Southern Electric also continues to operate using the Southern Electric name as it trades Southern Electric Power Distribution PLC, but this is wholly owned by SSE as well.
Southern Electric Contact Phone Numbers & Email
Call – 0345 026 2658
Email – customerservice@southern-electric.co.uk
Southern Electric Address
SSE
Inveralmond House
200 Dunkeld Road
Perth
PH1 3AQ
Website: http://www.southern-electric.co.uk/
The History of Southern Electric
Southern Electric’s roots can be traced back to 1948 when the Southern Electricity Board was formed as part of the nationalisation of the UK’s electricity supply. This was as a result of the Electricity Act 1947 which established 15 local electric boards across the UK.
The Southern Electric Board’s area included Berkshire, Wiltshire, Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight, as well as some parts of the neighbouring counties. This saw 22 Local Authority electricity entities and 26 private electricity companies merged to create the Southern Electricity Board.
In 1990 the Southern Electricity Board was privatised like other electricity boards across the UK. The Southern Electricity Board became a public limited company called Southern Electric that was floated on the London Stock Exchange. They continued to supply electricity to the South of England, but the supply and distribution network were separated into two entities although they continued to be run by the same company.
The distribution arm of the Southern Electricity Board was named Southern Electric Power Distribution PLC and they are responsible for electricity network and ensuring that electricity is delivered to homes and businesses across Southern England.
In 1998 Southern Electric merged with Scottish Hydro Electric to form a larger energy company who could cater for greater geographical catchment area and to diversify their company profile. The new company was called Scottish and Southern Energy or SSE as we now know it. SSE also acquired SWALEC which was formerly the South Wales Electricity Board.
Scottish Hydro Electric began in 1943 because of the Hydro Electric Development Act which saw a Scotland’s electricity generation capabilities expand and spread across the Highlands due to a hydro revolution.
Today SSE continues to grow its renewable energy generation and has become one of the UK’s largest renewable energy generators. SSE also expanded their remit to supply gas and bought several power stations to increase its generation capabilities. SSE has offices in Reading, Berkshire, and Perth.
What Happened to Southern Electric?
Southern Electric still exists as a brand under the SSE brand umbrella but the company no longer operates independently since 1998 when it was merged with Scottish Hydro and the SSE brand was formed.
SSE has continued to grow, and it now operates across the whole of the UK supplying gas and electricity as well as running some of the countries distribution network.
Southern Electric Warm Home Discount
As part of SSE, Southern Electric was part of the 2017/18 Warm Home Discount scheme, which gives vulnerable people £140 towards their energy bills. You can register your interest in the 2018/19 scheme on the SSE website.
For more see: SSE Reviews & Tariffs
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