The gas companies in Spain, a long-run approach (1842–2018)

Abstract

The article aims to analyse the evolution of gas companies in Spain from their starting point in the middle of the nineteenth century (when the business was limited to public lighting), up until the complexity of the present day. This process is divided into three main stages according to the general context of the sector. In each period, the profile of the companies will be established, as well as their market and the institutional constraints and strategies that were adopted by the companies to overcome those challenges. We found that most of the peculiar features of the Spanish case history were shared with other Southern European countries. Among others, we outline the delay and low dissemination, the scarcity and high cost of coal, the lack of capital, the technology and know-how and the strong presence of foreign companies.