The forerunner to The Barbados Light & Power Co. Ltd., the Barbados Electric Supply Corporation (BESC), was formed in 1909, following the passage of the Electric Light & Power Act by the Barbados House of Assembly in 1899 and its enactment in 1907.

The laying of underground mains in Bridgetown and along the Hastings road as far as St. Lawrence Gap began the next year and on June 17, 1911 the Electric Light Works was officially opened by Lady Probyn, wife of then Governor, Sir Leslie Probyn.

The electrification of the island proceeded slowly, with all the expected growing pains.

For example, the original poles imported from Norway rotted in less than three years in the more humid tropical environment of Barbados and the original substations, made from galvanize, were found to be too hot to work in.

Former employee Ken Blackman recalled, "In the early days you knew when you were in the country, because just out of Bridgetown there were no lights. There were gas lights down to Fontabelle and as far as Eagle Hall..."

These were the years when electricity itself had to prove itself.
Former Managing Director Frank McConney noted in the June 1986 issue of "Electrazine" "It took about 60 years to reach sales of 100 million kilowatt hours, because in the early days, the pioneers of the enterprise had to work hard to interest prospective customers who were unacquainted with electricity."

As demand grew, the BESC ordered more equipment, but the Company found it difficult to get permission to erect poles and substations on the property of individual homeowners and businesses.

As in other countries, the growth of the electricity industry in Barbados depended mainly on the middle and upper economic classes.

Recalled former employee Felix Hinkson in 1985: "Who had electricity? Belleville, Strathclyde, Hastings, Fontabelle and Dover, where all the 'aristocracy' lived, in the built-up areas. (Also) Sandy Lane, as far down as Holetown" and, of course, businesses in the city.