In 1905, the first Hydroelectric plant was established in 1904. In the 1960’s, electricity became available to almost everyone, even sharecroppers. The early slew of hydroelectric plants brought stable and reliable energy to the state up until World War II. In the 1950’s, natural gas and coal plants were added. In addition, Nuclear power was added when the Keowee-Toxaway Project started in 1965.

The energy transitions reflected a movement to provide energy to a broad spectrum of customers at a lower price. It drastically increased energy usage across the state. In the period between the 1970’s and the 1990’s natural gas went through several rounds of regulation and nuclear power lost some of its novelty after several high-profile incidents.

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