Our History
Our company is founded on a proud 200-year heritage of serving customers in homes and businesses. From our early days supplying gas and coal, to being an energy and services company today, we have adapted and changed to meet the needs of our customers.
- 1800s
- 1900s
- 2000s
1800s
1812
The Gas Light and Coke Company, the original company from which British Gas is descended, is incorporated in 1812.
1816
Preston becomes the first town in the UK to have gas street lights. Until the 20th century, gas was primarily used for street lights
1817
GLCC designs the world's first gas meter which is installed at the gas works of the Royal Mint
1858
The world's first domestic water heater is designed
1870
The first pre-payment gas meter designed
1956
Queen Elizabeth II opens Britain's first nuclear power plant in Cumberland.
1957
The Clean Air Act is introduced, which boosts the use of gas fires for heating
1986
The gas industry is privatised and British Gas plc is formed
First shares traded in December. - OFGAS - The Office of Gas Supply (OFGAS) was at the centre of the framework of regulations established under the Gas Act 1986, which created British Gas plc
1997
Centrica plc formed on 17 February following British Gas plc demerger, which was renamed BG plc at the same time.
British Gas' Gas Sales and Gas Trading, Services and Retail businesses, together with the gas production business of the North and South Morecambe gas fields, were transferred to Centrica.
2000
Centrica’s acquires Direct Energy, marking a major step in international expansion
2002
Centrica acquires the Rough offshore gas storage facility and the associated pipeline and onshore processing facility at Easington.
2004
Centrica acquires Dyno-Rod, the UK’s leading on-demand drain maintenance specialist
2008
Rights Issue announced on 31 October 2008 to help fund Centrica’s vertical integration strategy
2009
Centrica acquires 20% of British Energy’s nuclear fleet of power stations from EDF
Centrica acquires Venture Production plc, to become a leading operator of mature and orphaned gas assets in the UK continental shelf
2010
Direct Energy acquires Clockwork Home Services, creating the largest provider of heating and cooling, plumbing and electrical services in North America
2011
Direct Energy acquires Home Warranty of America
2012
British Gas celebrates 200 year anniversary and launches its Remote Heating Control service paving the way for the later Hive-branded smart heating system.
2013
Centrica signs long term American LNG export contract with Cheniere
2014
Centrica acquires Bord Gáis Energy
Direct Energy Teams up with Nest
2015
Centrica announces new strategy focused on being a customer-facing business, powered by technology and innovation.
2016
Centrica aquires NEAS energy and ENER-G Cogen International Limited
Centrica signs 5 year LNG deal with JERA
2017
Spirit Energy launched
Centrica agreees to sell its operational Langage and South Humber Bank combined cycle gas turbine power stations, with a combined capacity of 2.3GW, to EP UK Investments Ltd for £318million.
October 2017 - Centrica recognised by CDP, as a global leader for environmental action.
2018
November 2018 - Carers UK partnership announced.
February - BG Lite is launched
CBS launches in NA
BG launches new EV tariff
2019
Centrica cut its dividend in July 2019, after making a loss of £446 million in the prior six months
Centrica signs Sale and Purchase Agreement from Mozambique LNG Project
Centrica sets sail with landmark US LNG cargo destined for Europe
Catholic church goes green in one of the UK's largest energy renewable deals
Centrica builds on it's EV propostion through a number of partnerships with major car manufatucatuers, including Ford and VW
2020
Centrica moves to FTSE 250
March - Chris O'Shea appointed as CEO
Centrica signs long-term LNG supply deal with Shenergy
2021
Centrica Energy Assets formed with aspiration to build 900MW of low carbon assets.
Centrica completes the construction of the Army’s first solar farm at The Defence School of Transport (DST), Leconfield
British Gas steps in to help over 700,000 customers who have found themselves without a supplier due to the energy crisis
Centrica commits to recruit and train 3,500 apprentices by the end of the decade to provide the green skills required to deliver net zero
2022
Centrica launches ex-forces recruitment programme aimed at hiring 500 forces leavers across the business
British Gas and Daikin successfully install the first heat pump part-funded by the government’s new Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
British Gas partners with Cadent on the UK’s first hydrogen village project at Whitby, Ellesmere Port
Centrica Business Solutions secures a contract to optimise 89MW of battery storage helping to ensure greater levels of renewable energy can be brought on stream