The Grand Electrification of the South outlines the history of The Power Company Limited, starting with the establishment of the original Southland Electric Power Board and continuing until the present day. It tells the story of an early southern initiative, copied by the rest of New Zealand and then much of the of the developed world, to generate electricity and return all profits to the people of Southland. It traces the early 20th century origins of the scheme, its transition to government ownership, and the convoluted road of its return to the people of Southland within the structure of The Power Company Limited. Personal anecdotes and over 100 photos (many historic) and diagrams illustrate the research.The Grand Electrification of the South outlines the history of The Power Company Limited, starting with the establishment of the original Southland Electric Power Board and continuing until the present day. It tells the story of an early southern initiative, copied by the rest of New Zealand and then much of the of the developed world, to generate electricity and return all profits to the people of Southland. It traces the early 20th century origins of the scheme, its transition to government ownership, and the convoluted road of its return to the people of Southland within the structure of The Power Company Limited. Personal anecdotes and over 100 photos (many historic) and diagrams illustrate the research.