White BG

Greenwood CPW was founded October 27, 1896.

CPW has continuously provided energy and water resources to its citizens for over 100 years.  The water company was added in 1897, the electric system was added in 1898 and the gas system was added in 1940.

Greenwood CPW was the first municipally owned system of its kind in the state.  Addison J. Sproles, Superintendent of CPW said in an Index-Journal article on Sunday, May 10, 1925 “…we are the pioneers in South Carolina in that we were the first town to install a municipal water and electric light plant, the first to introduce cooking and heating by electricity and the first to grant every residential customer a free front porch light to burn all night, every night.”

The growth of the system has matched the growth of the city.  In 1899, at the completion of the water and electric system, there were 40 arc lights and 450 incandescent lights for the community powered by a 125 horsepower engine.  Water was produced by two springs furnishing 15,000 gallons of water.  The total cost of the electric water system in that year was $40,000.00.

Today, more than 29,000 customers use the system.  What they receive is quality service at rates that consistently rank among the lowest in the state and nation.

Greenwood CPW celebrated 100 years of service to the citizens of Greenwood in October 1996.  At that time, a time capsule was buried at the Central Operations Center to be opened October 27, 2046.