The History
of Energy at
Siemens

Our tradition dates back 150 years. In 1866, Werner von Siemens converted mechanical energy into electrical energy making it applicable to everyday life. He exerted the kind of courage, drive, and determination we need today.

As an independent company, Siemens Energy opens a new chapter in the Siemens history of energy technology. We will keep the best of our legacy while pushing the boundaries of what is possible. That is how we shape the energy of tomorrow.


Organizational milestones
Technological milestones
 
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1866

Werner von Siemens’ application of the dynamo-electric principle and his development of the dynamo lay the cornerstone for a new energy era
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1897

Siemens builds the first electric power plant in South Africa
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19
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1903

Siemens-Schuckertwerke is created by merging Siemens & Halske’s heavy-voltage departments with Elektrizitäts-Aktiengesellschaft vorm. Schuckert & Co.
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19
20
1927

Siemens develops a 110-kV oil-filled cable that allows danger-free connections between long-distance overhead power lines and inner cities – a milestone in electric power transmission in Germany

1927

Siemens-Schuckertwerke acquires Thyssen’s steam turbine plant in Mülheim/Ruhr

1929

The Ardnacrusha hydroelectric plant on the River Shannon goes into operation, supplying electricity to the Irish Free State
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19
30
1930

Siemens’ development of the expansion circuit breaker opens a new chapter in high-voltage circuit breaker construction

1931

The West Large Power Plant (now the Ernst Reuter Power Plant) is built on a turnkey basis – the most up-to-date thermal power plant in Europe

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1956

The 300-MW San Nicolás power plant starts operation in Argentina. This, the first large export order after the war’s end, marks Siemens’ return to the global market

19
60
1961

Siemens’ first power plant turbine, the VM80, starts operation at the Obersendling combined heat and power plant in Munich

1964

Siemens is the first company in Europe to present an SF6 high-voltage circuit breaker, offering highly reliable operation and simple maintenance

1969

Siemens and AEG found Kraftwerk Union AG and Transformatoren AG

19
70
1975

Siemens builds Cahora Bassa in southern Africa, one of the first large HVDC installations
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19
80
1983

GROWIAN, a large wind turbine for which Siemens supplied the generator, initiates its trial run

1987

KWU and TU are integrated into the Power Generation Group

19
90
1997

Siemens acquires the fossil-fueled power plant business of the US company Westinghouse

20
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2004

Acquisition of Danish wind power company Bonus Energy A/S

2008

Siemens presents the world’s first HVDC system to operate at a transmission voltage of 800 kV

20
10
2015

Siemens acquires Dresser-Rand, the world’s leading supplier of compressors, steam and gas turbines, and motors

2017

Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy is founded

2018

Siemens completes work on the world’s three largest combined-cycle power plants in Egypt

20
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2020

Siemens Energy is founded

power-plant-brakpan-southafrica-1897

Find out more: “Electric Times” – Siemens and the History of Energy Technology