"The Big Switch"

"The Big Switch" refers to the shift from monopolistic, vertically integrated electric utilities to a more expansive and interconnected system of deregulated power providers, primarily through the development of large-scale power plants and the transmission grid. This transition, occurring mainly in the mid-20th century, allowed electricity generation to be separated from its distribution, increasing efficiency, competition, and innovation. Instead of local, isolated plants, electricity began to be produced in massive plants and transmitted over long distances, providing consumers with more reliable, affordable, and diverse energy sources.