GEB local electricity substation

Located at the corner of Delftsevaart and Grotekerkplein is a brick complex that doesn’t fit very well in the modern, reconstructed city. That is indeed true, because the oldest section was a substation built for the local electricity board in 1925. In 1948 a second building for Stadsverwarming (District Heating) was erected, and both structures were designed by (anonymous) architects at the Public Works Department.

The substation was needed to supply electricity to the shops and businesses in the centre. From 1920 on the municipality started to compulsorily purchase land, and in 1922 some existing dwellings on the site were demolished.

The main space inside the building is a tall engine hall, about thirty metres long and ten metres wide, with a height of sixteen metres. A cable space was located in the basement, and on the floor above were the supervisor’s office, a workshop, a storage space, and a room for clothing and washing. Built by the Hollandsche Concrete Maatschappij, the structure had a 1.35-metre thick concrete floor plate as a basis, and the rest of the structure was also made of concrete. Steel girders support the concrete roof. However, decorative brickwork is mostly visible on the exterior.

Built by the Hollandsche Concrete Maatschappij, the structure had a 1.35-metre thick concrete floor plate as a basis, and the rest of the structure was also made of concrete.

The big entrance to the engine hall is closed by a roll-down shutter that enables heavy machines to be brought in and out easily. A travelling crane is fitted in the hall for that purpose.

There were plans for a five-floor L-shaped office building for the local electricity board next to the substation.

There were plans for a five-floor L-shaped office building for the local electricity board next to the substation. Although that plan did not go ahead, it did set the tone for the construction of the building for the electricity board on Rochussenstraat.

The substation survived the bombardment. During the war years the idea emerged to establish a collective heating facility in the centre, so that every major energy consumer did not need to build its own expensive facility. A network of cables was laid down, and it was initially thought that the power plant at Schiehaven could play an important role in the District Heating. Owing in part to the unfavourable location of this complex far from the centre, this plan was abandoned in favour of the possible solution on Delftsevaart. In 1961 a second substation on Blekerstraat was put into operation.

The building complex still exists and is used by Eon energy company.

The building complex still exists and is used by Eon energy company.