Radio Kootwijk 50 kV substation, Electrical substation in Apeldoorn, Netherlands.
The Radio Kootwijk 50 kV substation is a power supply facility featuring three high voltage transmission towers located north of the main building complex. The installation reduced high voltage electricity to lower levels for distribution to the radio transmitter and surrounding communities.
The facility was built between 1923 and 1931 to supply power to the Radio Kootwijk transmitter and neighboring services. It remained operational until 2001, when its functions ended following modernizations of the electrical grid.
The installation displays straightforward industrial design that reflects the practical needs of power distribution in the 1920s. Visitors can see how engineers of that era translated functionality into visible concrete and steel structures.
The site is located along Radioweg at the northern part of the Radio Kootwijk complex and is relatively open for viewing. The best time to visit is during daylight hours to see the structural details and towers clearly.
The facility was designated as a protected monument in 2006, acknowledging its historical importance for the development of electrical infrastructure. This protection is unusual for a former utility building, but reflects how industrial structures of this era are valued for their role in technical history.
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