Aberdeen Corporation Electricity Department

At the end of the 19th century, electricity was introduced to Aberdeen. In 1893 the Corporation proposed to build an electric works adjacent to the gasworks at Cotton Street. It was intended that enough power would be generated to light the area bounded by Union Street, Guild Street, Union Terrace, Schoolhill and Broad Street. In this way the Gas Department itself became responsible for the introduction of a type of lighting which was eventually to replace gas. From the very earliest days there was an uneasy relationship. This developed into almost open warfare when the two departments were finally separated. In 1903 an electricity works was opened on the site of Dee Village, at Millburn Street.