Item Type: Agency

Linked To

Controlling Organisation

Wellington City Council

Predecessor Agency

Electric Lighting Department

Successor Agency

Capital Power Ltd

Related Place

Evans Bay Power Station

Series

Controlled Series (37)

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Municipal Electricity Department

Descriptive Data

Other NamesElectricity DepartmentDate Range1926-1 September 1993DescriptionIn 1926, the Electric Lighting Department became the Electricity Department in order to better reflect the broader functions of the department, which in that year took over the supply of direct current (DC) power to the tramways.

The day-to-day functions of the Department included providing city and private power, substation construction and maintenance, running an electrical appliance showroom, and undertaking underground cable and overhead powerline (though not the trolley bus wires, which were maintained by the Tramways/Transport Department) work, but other activities occasionally came up such as illuminating the Botanic Garden at Christmas, sports ground floodlighting, and the Christmas lighting in the streets. An electrical appliance and fittings showroom was maintained until 1940, when it was closed. For many years electrical cooking demonstrations were held regularly to popularise electric cooking. A wiring and appliance servicing department was also available. In 1949 a consumers' engineer was appointed to take charge of all consumers' services including inspection, servicing and wiring. The retail service of the showroom was re-opened on September 1, 1960.

From 1908 until December 1953, the Electricity/Electric Lighting Department and the Tramways Department (later known as the Transport Department) were associated, although not amalgamated. They were headed by the same General Manager.

In 1935, the Department purchased and refitted Electricity House in Cuba Street. This provided improved facilities for staff and public and was to be the main location for the Department during the remainder of its existence. The Department's main power plant in Evans Bay was transferred to the New Zealand Government in 1950.

From 1964, following a decision by Council's Trading Committee, the Electricity Department officially changed its name to the Municipal Electricity Department, although it had informally been known as this throughout its existence. In June 1989 the MED adopted the new name of MED Capital Power. At this time the Committee they reported to changed. From 1962-1989 the Department had reported to the Trading Group Committee. In 1989 it was decided to set up a board as a sub-committee of the Trading Control Committee to administer and control the operations of the department. This was referred to as the Board of MED Capital Power.

In March 1991 the Council agreed in principle to form a management company to operate the MED as a business operation. This was due to Central Government making it clear that they intended to deregulate the electricity industry and move towards corporatising Local Authority controlled electricity departments. Wellington Electricity Management Ltd was set up under Capital Holdings Ltd to form the interim board and manage MED Capital Power till it could be fully corporatised. From the 1st of July 1991 MED Capital Power became officially known as just Capital Power. Capital Power ceased to exist as a Council Department in 1993 when it was sold to Capital Power Ltd, a registered company under the control of Capital Holdings Ltd and 100% Council owned. This was the final step in corporatising the electricity department and had effect from the 1st September 1993. Sources: WCC Annual Reports WCC Annual Plans Capital Power Annual Reports Watts On – Capital Power Staff Newsletter

Series

WCC, Municipal Electricity Department, working documents and estrays

WCC, Municipal Electricity Department's photographic transparencies (35mm slides)

WCC, Municipal Electricity Department's Capital Power Board reports

WCC, Municipal Electricity Department's Capital Power Board minutes

WCC, Municipal Electricity Department's Advertisement newspaper clippings

WCC, Municipal Electricity Department, Electricity Committee reports

WCC, Municipal Electricity Department, Ephemera

WCC, Municipal Electricity Department, Tramways electrical system maps

WCC, Municipal Electricity Department, Electrical infrastructure maps

WCC, Municipal Electricity Department, Reports and miscellaneous statistics

WCC, Municipal Electricity Department, Substation Earth Tests

WCC, Municipal Electricity Department, Indexes to maps, plans and diagrams

WCC, Municipal Electricity Department, photograph album, Circa 1930

WCC, Municipal Electricity Department, photograph album, Circa 1940

WCC, Municipal Electricity Department's photographic prints by F G Barker

Municipal Electricity Department photographic prints and negatives

WCC, Municipal Electricity Department's (MED) files

WCC, Tramways and Electricity Department's files

WCC, Tramways and Electric Lighting Department's files

WCC, Municipal Electricity Department, Jenny Lawson's radio cooking programme transcripts

WCC, Municipal Electricity Department, Energy market cartoons by Eric Heath

WCC, Municipal Electricity Department, Staff files

WCC, Municipal Electricity Department, Balance Sheets and Financial Statments

Place

Evans Bay Power Station

Agency

Electric Lighting Department

Controlling Organisation

Controlling OrganisationWellington City CouncilControlling Organisation Date Range1870-

Related Agencies

Predecessor AgencyElectric Lighting DepartmentSuccessor AgencyCapital Power Ltd

Relationships

Related PlaceEvans Bay Power Station

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Municipal Electricity Department