Yaropolets hydroelectric power plant, Historic hydroelectric power station in Yaropolets, Russia
The Yaropolets hydroelectric station sits along the Lama River and displays remnants of its original power generation equipment and turbine mechanisms. The facility lies behind the Chernyshev Estate on Pushkin Street and remains a decommissioned industrial structure visitors can explore today.
The facility was founded in 1918 by local residents and became Russia's first rural hydroelectric dam. It supplied electricity to surrounding villages until its destruction in 1941.
The name reflects the village community that built and operated this facility to bring power to their settlement. Visitors can still sense how local people creatively used technology to transform their daily lives.
The site sits along a quiet stretch of river and is accessible on foot if approached from the Chernyshev Estate. The best time to explore is on a clear day when the stone structures and water features are easy to see.
The location originated from a simple desire to light lamps for a local play. From this modest need grew a system that brought power to an entire village.
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