Compañía Primitiva de Gas de Buenos Aires Ltda.
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Gas and electricity |
| Founded | 1854 |
| Fate | Nationalized by Argentine government in 1944; ceased operations in 1945 |
| Successor | Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales |
| Headquarters | Buenos Aires , Argentina |
Area served | Buenos Aires, La Plata, Bahía Blanca, Rosario |
| Products | Gas production, public lighting, electricity distribution |
Compañía Primitiva de Gas de Buenos Aires Ltda. was a gas and electricity enterprise of British origin that operated in Buenos Aires from 1854 until 1945.
History
Established in 1854, the firm's gas production facility was situated in the Retiro district of Buenos Aires, close to what is now known as Torre Monumental. The company initially concentrated on providing public lighting services and later extended its operations to include electricity distribution starting in 1895. In 1897, it took over the principal electrical plant in the city, called Sociedad de Luz Eléctrica Edison. The provision of electric lighting continued until 1920, when the company lost its operational concession.
The business was officially registered as Compañía Primitiva de Gas de Buenos Aires Ltda in 1901 and underwent a name change to Primitiva Gas and Electric Lighting Company of Buenos Aires by 1910. At the time of registration in 1901, its capital stock amounted to £1,200,000 sterling.
In 1944, the Argentine government nationalized the company, which then halted its activities on March 5, 1945. Control was subsequently transferred to Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales.
Prior to nationalization, Primitiva Gas catered to approximately 240,000 customers located in Buenos Aires, La Plata, Bahía Blanca, and Rosario. To support its service operations, the company operated a fleet comprising trucks and motorcycles.