Exhibition dedicated to the 120th anniversary of Centralnaya CHPP of TGC-1 has opened in the center of St. Petersburg
On April 27, 2017, the exhibition Power Industry of the Historic Centre of St. Petersburg: from the 19th to the 20th Century opened in the center of St. Petersburg in the pedestrian area of Bolshaya Morskaya Street.
A unique exhibition dedicated to the 120th anniversary of Centralnaya CHPP was arranged by the Northwest Energy History Museum with the support of the State Hermitage Museum and the Government of St. Petersburg.
Here in the Northern Capital the first Russian street lighting appeared, the current was produced by the first power plants at the wooden barge near Nevsky prospect, in the Winter Palace, on the 12th Line of the Basil Island, at the Okhta Powder Mill. On April 27, 1897, the first industrial power plant in the country, nowadays PP-2 of Centralnaya CHPP, was put into operation on the Sinopskaya Embankment.
Among the exhibits there are seven stands with black-and-white archive photos dedicated to the milestones of energy industry development and electrification of St. Petersburg, such as: the late 19th century and the origin of the city’s power system, developments of the early 20th century, construction and installation of the main equipment of Centralnaya CHPP, operation of its three power plants over the years. Modern colour photos, neighbouring with black-and-white ones, show how the power system of the city on the Neva river exists today, the extent to which the city has changed and become brighter and more colourful – thanks largely to generations of power specialists.
“The history of Centralnaya CHPP is a special page in the history of Russian energy industry. It comprises three oldest electric power plants in St. Petersburg that experienced a lot together with the country – revolution, war and siege. And all this time they continuously supplied the historic centre of the city with electricity and heat,” noted Alexey Barvinok, General Director of PJSC TGC-1. “And nowadays Centralnaya CHPP is one of the most modern power plants in Russia. Renovation and upgrade of equipment is being completed here, outdated facilities are being decommissioned, new effective power generating units have been built.”
"Opening of the exhibition is a very pleasant event. 120 year ago, in 1897, the foundations of electric power industry, and later on heat power industry, were laid. Even during tough times Centralnaya CHPP continued to operate and supply citizens with heat and electricity,” said Andrey Bondarchuk, the Head of the Energy and Engineering Committee of the city, in his speech. “I wish the energy industry to develop further and have stable growth rates, and Centralnaya CHPP to operate for at least 120 years more!”
Andrey Khlutkov, the Head of the Central District of St. Petersburg, noted, "Three stations comprising Centralnaya CHPP are in fact the "golden triangle" where the city's key cultural, historical and industrial objects are located. And the pedestrian area of Bolshaya Morskaya Street is a perfect place for any person to have a rest, while enjoying the views and atmosphere of the historic centre, as well as get to know lots of interesting facts about such an important industry as energy industry."
After the exhibition opening, the first rivers and canals boat tour around power infrastructure of St. Petersburg was held; it was conducted by Natalia Bystrova, Director of the Northwest Energy History Museum.
Reference
PJSC TGC-1 is the major heat supplier in St. Petersburg. Ten CHPPs located on the territory of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region supply heat to the citizens and enterprises of the city. The company's share of the heat power market of St. Petersburg exceeds 50%.
Centralnaya CHPP of PJSC TGC-1 is located in the Central District of St. Petersburg and comprises the oldest Russian industrial power plants: Power Plant No. 1 on the Obvodny Canal, Power Plant No. 2 on the Sinopskaya Embankment, celebrating its 120th anniversary this year, and Power Plant No. 3 on the Fontanka Embankment.
The plants provide electricity and heat to the cultural heritage sites, industrial enterprises, residential and socially significant buildings in four districts of St. Petersburg, and there are more than 500,000 people in this service area.
Among those who receive power from Centralnaya CHPP are the Senate and Synod Building, the State Hermitage Museum, the Russian Museum, the Mariinsky Theatre and many other landmarks of the city preserving century-old history. Centralnaya CHPP also carefully preserves its history. The past and the future of energy industry of Russia are remarkably converged here.