Brescia Electric Company: Growth, Nationalization, and Rebirth

The Società elettrica bresciana – in short, the Seb – was undoubtedly one of the symbols of the emerging Brescia capitalism.

Founded on May 29, 1905, on the ashes of two companies born at the end of the 19th century (la Fraschini, Porta & C. and la Società per l’utilizzazione delle forze idrauliche per mezzo dell’elettricità), Seb was a perfect example of integration between energy production and distribution.

And this happened right during the boom of the electricity market.

Role and Growth of Seb under Magnocavallo’s Leadership

Under the leadership of Alberto Magnocavallo, Seb initially capitalized on the development of public electric lighting and, more importantly, the expansion of the interurban tram network in Brescia.

It was thanks to transportation that, in the first twenty years of the 20th century, the company transformed into a solid hydroelectric enterprise, with diversified interests and a rich network of power plants.

This rapid growth quickly positioned it within the orbit of Edison company, which used Seb for its expansion into eastern Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna.

End of an Era and Rebirth

The nationalization of energy marked an important chapter of Brescia’s industrialization.

Now, in the third millennium, Seb’s rebirth has reopened that chapter.