“Did you know that Vasileostrovskaya Power Station is also known by several other names?” I ask, watching your faces light up with curiosity. “It’s sometimes called CHPP-7 Lenenergo, CHPP of the Vera Slutskaya factory, or even just HPP-7. But officially, it’s the Vasileostrovskaya TEC-7 Power Plant, and it plays a vital role in powering this incredible city.” We stand before its imposing structure, a testament to the energy needs of Saint Petersburg. Originally started in 1932, this power plant has been a constant presence on Vasileostrovsky Island. Today, the Vasileostrovskaya TEC-7 is a combined heat and power (CHP) plant, meaning it generates both electricity and thermal energy with remarkable efficiency. This dual function is essential for a city like Saint Petersburg, where the demand for both is high, especially during the colder months. Vasileostrovskaya TEC-7 burns a mix of natural gas and heavy fuel oil. This allows for flexibility in fuel sources and helps ensure a stable energy supply. This isn’t a single, monolithic unit. The station boasts several units, each contributing its share to the overall power generation. Units 3 and 5 are currently operational, showing how this plant continues to adapt. Unit 3, operational since 2009, has a capacity of 50 MW. Unit 5 adds another 60 MW to the total output. Territorial Generating Company No 1 PJSC wholly owns and operates these vital units, underscoring the company’s commitment to providing power to this city. As you look around Vasileostrovskaya TEC-7, you are seeing a place steeped in history. A place that has evolved along with the energy needs of this city. It’s a modern marvel of engineering that helps keep the lights on. It helps keep homes warm in the heart of Saint Petersburg.
М. К. Прудников
Born into a peasant family in 1913, Mikhail Prudnikov’s journey began in a small village nestled within the Tomsk Governorate.