 Plans to build a private residence for Ranavalona III were abandoned in 1896 at the time of French colonisation of the island.According to one source, partial electrification of the Rova may have been successfully tested on Christmas Day 1892.Following this experiment, Prime Minister Rainilaiarivony and Queen Ranavalona III began working with a contractor to purchase and install the necessary equipment to expand electrification throughout the Rova, but this initiative was also interrupted by the advent of French colonisation.