History of steam turbines development inseparably linked with development of productive forces of society. Steam turbine use as a drive for electric generator and marine engine were offered in XIX century.

In Russia, prerevolutionary period, turbine construction developed very slowly. Steam turbines at Saint-Petersburg metal plant (now production association “Leningrad Metal Plant”, LMZ) were constructing. This plant in 1907 produced first turbine with capacity 200 kW. At 1907—1913 plane produced 26 steam turbines, biggest capacity in one unit was 1250 kW.

First years of soviet power V.I. Lenin was inspirer and organizer of creation of famous plan of whole country electrification – GOELRO.   GOELRO plan supposed during 10—15 years build 30 power plants with gross output 1,5 mln. kW. Firstlings were Shaturskaya power plant, named after V.I. Lenin Kashirskaya HPP, first stage of it was commissioned in 1922.

Turbine need for such big number o power plants led to exigency of creation in USSR one more turbine constructing plant for manufacturing of turbines with big capacity (50-100 MW).

Chairman of Highest Council of National Economy (HCNE) V.V. Kuybishev and people`s commissar G. K. Ordgonikidze in speeches at important state and party arrangements told about necessity of fast develop of electrical industry and turbine construction.

V.V. Kuybishev told: «Just on a base of own electrical industry we can take big paces of our development. Therefore electrical industry and turbine construction must develop as much as possible».

LMZ turbines with capacity 25 and 50 MW could not meet requirements of huge country, all the more need in power irrupted.

G. K. Ordgonikidze told regarding actions need to be taken at given situation: «... necessary to commission at first half-year of 1932 Kharkov Turbine Plant, capacity  1.5 mln. kW».

In April 1929 building of Kharkov Turbine-Generator Plant named after S. M. Kirov (KhTGP) had started.

Why building of new enterprise was preferably in the then capital of Ukraine? In books of plant`s history, till now, stated following considerations: Kharkov already was big rail centre and it was convenient for supply of building materials and in the future – metal for manufacturing of big items of power equipment. Secondly, there were skilled manpower and technical and engineering employees. Therefore it was easy for them without a peep to bet into decision of complicated technical tasks. This is not to be trifled with, but turbines, we will have an opportunity to talk about complexity of its manufacturing and design. Close position to Donbas signify it, where by that time emerged strong fuel-metal base.

It is necessary add to this capital status of then Kharkov. Central government in Moscow fixed deadline of building of giant enterprise (year and a half!) required efficient meddling of persons who can constantly solve big and urgent issue during building. All-USSR electrotechnical association (AUSSREA), which was entrusted by presidium of VSNG USSR to mange with building of new plant for generators and turbine manufacturing, were on far distance. CC CPU and government – All-Ukrainian Council of National Economy (AUCNE) were quite near.

Therefore for examination of practical issues of turbine-generator plant building in autumn 1929 committee was formed composed of chairman AUSSRCNE UkSSR K. V. Sukhomlin, secretary of Kharkov district committee CP(b)U P. P. Postishev, chairman of the board VEO I. P. Zhukov and heads of Kharkov Electromechanical Plant (KhMP), on its area they were going to build turbine-generator plant. Local political administration at that time determined something, because, as the saying is, entered in the minutes statement of I. P. Zhukov about building turbine-generator plant at area of KhMP will be started in 19-29/30 production years. In the minutes was entered likelihood, because   do not held liable alone for violation of terms established by Moscow. And bear responsibility by ejection and party membership card will be deprived.

Initially works on creating of KhTGP intended to carry out under project of foreign experts, providing work shops` construction of metal constructions. But soviet builders developed project with using ferroconcrete that reduced the price of plant building. Soviet government, examined project of domestic engineers assented its realization and    declined project of foreign firms. Plants of Moscow, Leningrad and other cities helped to establish KhTGP, they manufactured machine tools and different equipment.

Building of enterprise was strategic task of the party all possible resources of city were drawn in works. Workers voluntary took part in building and often worked overtime often were ahead of schedule.  

In 1934 the plant was put into operation and next 1935 gave to country first steam turbine with capacity 50 thous. kW. Turbo-generator plant was not only manufacturer different turbines, turbine-machinery and generators but also repaired, rehabilitated and modernized turbines of foreign firms and also was exemplary enterprise of young Soviet country.

Due to fast paces of development of own power-machinery construction Soviet Union, including commissioning of KhTGP, in 1934 could reject import of power equipment.

 

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