The Gas Industry in Latin Europe : Economic Development During the 19th and 20th Centuries

This book explores the development of the gas industry within Latin Europe (France, Italy, Portugal, and Spain). Through charting the growth of this industry during the 19 th and 20 th centuries, the technology and public policies used are examined to highlight the long term impact of the industry. Utilising a comparative analysis, similarities and variation between the development of gas within the Latin European countries is compared and contrasted with the aid of specific case studies. This book aims to place the development of gas resources in Latin Europe within a global perspective that takes into account the development of energy resources in the rest of Europe and the world more generally. It will be of interest to students and researchers working within energy economics and economic history. The book forms part of the results of the research project ‘Gas in Latin Europe: a comparative and global perspective (1818-1945)’, financed by the Ministry of Science and Innovation of the Spanish Government and ERDP Funds. Acknowledgements Contents Notes on Contributors List of Figures List of Tables Chapter 1: Introduction. State of the Art: The Gas Industry in Latin Europe Countries Between 1850 and 1920—An Overview Infrastructures and Latin Europe Chronology: A Very Intriguing Changing Season in European Infrastructures The Gas Industry in Latin Europe Concluding Remarks References Chapter 2: The Territorial Diffusion of the Gas Industry in Latin Europe Before the Competition from Electricity Introduction France: Leader in the Gas Industry The Italy of Contrasts: The Central European North vs. the Mediterranean Mezzogiorno Two Sides of the Same Coin: Between the Spanish and Catalan Gas Models Portugal: Lagging Behind and Territorially Polarised Latin Europe: An Overall Perspective Conclusion References Chapter 3: The Regulation of Gas in Latin Europe (1850–1920) Introduction Great Britain France: From Regulation to Nationalisation Spain: The Dominance of Private Companies Italy and the Late Expansion of Gas Portugal: The Dominance of Private Companies Conclusions References Chapter 4: The Municipalisation of Gas in Latin Europe: Spain, Portugal and France Until the First World War Introduction The Legislative Framework for Running Public Services Regional Disparities in the Municipalisation of Services in the Countries of Latin Europe The Different Paths That Led to the Municipalisation of the Gas Services: Political Ideology, Conflicts with the Local Governments and the Failure of Business Management Conclusion References Chapter 5: Gas in the First World War in Latin Europe Introduction Gas Production Coal Becomes a Precious Commodity The Demand by the Gas Companies to Increase the Price of Gas Repercussions of the War on Human Capital and Gas Infrastructure Conclusions References Chapter 6: Gas in Paris and Rome from Its Origins to the Competition with Electricity Introduction Paris, One of the Pioneer Cities of Gas Lighting Gas in the Italian Context The Expansion of Gas Consumption in Paris The Vatican Rome of the Popes; Rome, the Capital City of Italy The Resistance of the Parisian Gas Industry to Electricity The Competition with Electricity in Italy Brief Final Remarks References Chapter 7: The Gas Industry in Madrid During the Civil War (1936–1939) Introduction The Gas Business in Madrid Remains in the Republican Zone The Collapse of Gas Production The Nosedive in Gas Consumption Conclusions References Index This book explores the development of the gas industry within Latin Europe (France, Italy, Portugal, and Spain). Through charting the growth of this industry during the 19th and 20th centuries, the technology and public policies used are examined to highlight the long term impact of the industry. Utilising a comparative analysis, similarities and variation between the development of gas within the Latin European countries is compared and contrasted with the aid of specific case studies. This book aims to place the development of gas resources in Latin Europe within a global perspective that takes into account the development of energy resources in the rest of Europe and the world more generally. It will be of interest to students and researchers working within energy economics and economic history. Jesus Miras-Araujo is Professor of Economic History at the University of A Coruna. Andrea Giuntini is Associate Professor of Economic History at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. The book forms part of the results of the research project Gas in Latin Europe: a comparative and global perspective (1818-1945), financed by the Ministry of Science and Innovation of the Spanish Government and ERDP Funds