The power plant of the Paper Factory

address: Ružić Street
Period: Modernism
Kind: Immovable material heritage
Century: 20
Year: 1931
Purpose: industrial

The building of the power station (called Energana) was built in 1931 as a two-storey building with a simple rectangular layout and an 85 m high chimney.  It was further expanded in 1934 and in 1936. At that time, it represented a highly modern power plant with a steam turbine of 3,200 horsepower. The power plant was equipped with state-of-the-art combustion engines, control panel and unit for measuring the generated electricity. Before this power plant was constructed, the factory was supplied with energy from its in-house power unit, a hydro power plant (hydro turbines with a capacity of 1,200 HP) and a thermal power plant (steam engine with 1,100 HP). In the 1930s, all power units generated a total of 5,500 HP and energy surpluses were forwarded to Elektra (a company of the town of Sušak), which then sold the electricity to Sušak, Bakar and Kraljevica. The construction is made of reinforced concrete and the walls contain prominent square mesh-glazed windows. The roof is flat and made of concrete. Considering the stylistic characteristics of the building, its simplicity and functionality, we can talk about architectural modelling of Modernism.

Valorization:

The building is abandoned and owned by the City of Rijeka.