Warsaw is preparing to renovate one of its unique technical monuments, the ‘kiosk’ type transformer located at the intersection of 11 Listopada and Konopacka streets in Praga-Północ. This unique object, once an important element of the capital’s power grid, will be restored thanks to funding from the budget of the Office of the Capital Conservator of Monuments.
The historic transformer station, dating from the beginning of the 20th century, is a relic of a bygone era when the development of the capital’s electrification was of great importance to the city. In 1904, the Warsaw Powisle power station was launched, with its transmission network operating at 5 kV AC voltage. Transformer stations, such as the one in Praga-Północ, lowered this voltage to the 122 volts needed by consumers. At the time, there were about 300 such kiosk transformers in operation throughout the city, and only four have survived to the present day.
The transformer from Praga-Północ is distinguished by its cylindrical housing and several doors that provided access to the electrical equipment inside. Although some of the apparatus is still preserved, not all of the components date from the period of the station’s construction, reflecting its many years of use and necessary upgrades.
Over the years, the transformer housing has corroded and numerous graffiti have appeared on the surface. For this reason, the object will be taken to the workshop, where specialists will remove rust foci, stop the degradation process and protect the structure with an anti-corrosion coating. In addition, the surface of the enclosure will be treated with an anti-graffiti coating to preserve its aesthetics in the future.
The renovation also includes the installation of a glass door, which will allow visitors to see the relics of electrical equipment preserved inside. An information board will be installed near the site to familiarise residents and tourists with the historical significance of the transformer. Similar activities have been carried out at another transformer station located on the Kosciuszko Coast.
The restored transformer station will return to its original location at 11 Listopada and Konopacka Streets by the end of December 2024, enriching the urban space with a renovated, unique technical monument. The project is not only a renovation of the building, but also an opportunity to recall the history of Warsaw’s power grid, the development of which was an important stage in the modernisation of the capital.
Source: um.warszawa.pl
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