Ministry of Power (United Kingdom)

The Ministry of Power was a UK government department responsible for energy policy. It existed under various names and with varying responsibilities from 1942 to 1969.

Initially established during World War II as the Ministry of Fuel and Power in 1942, it replaced the Mines Department of the Board of Trade. The urgent need for coal during the war necessitated a dedicated ministry to manage its production and distribution. A key task was the nationalisation of the coal industry, implemented by the National Coal Board.

Following the war, its remit extended to other forms of energy, including electricity and gas. It oversaw the nationalised electricity and gas industries as well.

In 1957, the name was changed to the Ministry of Power. This reflected the increasingly diverse energy landscape and its broader responsibilities.

In 1969, the Ministry of Power was absorbed into the newly created Ministry of Technology, marking a shift in government policy towards a more integrated approach to technology and industry. The energy portfolio subsequently moved to the Department of Trade and Industry.