CEGB stands for Central Electricity Generating Board. It was an organization responsible for the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity in England and Wales from its establishment in 1957 until its restructuring in the 1990s.
The Central Electricity Generating Board was a nationalized authority in the United Kingdom, authorized by the Electricity Act of 1957. It held a monopoly over electricity generation in England and Wales, owning and operating a diverse portfolio of power stations including coal-fired, gas-fired, oil-fired, nuclear, and hydroelectric plants. The Board's primary objective was to ensure the efficient and reliable supply of electricity to meet the growing demands of the nation.
CEGB played a crucial role in the development and expansion of the UK's electricity industry. It was responsible for planning and constructing new power stations, managing fuel supplies, coordinating the electricity transmission network, and overseeing the pricing and regulation of the industry. The CEGB also conducted extensive research and development, contributing to advancements in power generation technologies and environmental practices.
In the 1990s, the UK government implemented a series of reforms that led to the dismantling of CEGB and the liberalization of the electricity market. The organization was broken up into separate entities for power generation, transmission, and distribution. Today, the legacy of CEGB is recognized as a critical milestone in the history of the British electricity sector and its progressive transformation.
