In 1907 engineers A. I. Javakhov, G. F. Nikitin, K. E. Andriyevsky, and S. A. Kanonovich established a partnership called the “Office for the Construction of Urban Electric Lighting in the City of Sukhumi.”
The partnership was granted a concession to build a hydroelectric power station on the Basla river.
In June 1907 the partnership began constructing the power station near the Venetian bridge.
After engineer A. I. Javakhov withdrew from the project, G. F. Nikitin and K. E. Andriyevsky founded the company named “Electricity”.
Under the leadership of electrical engineer Berdichevsky, the hydroelectric power station was built in record time—within a year and a half.
On May 1, 1909, electricity was first supplied to the city.
At that time, only municipal institutions, educational establishments, and streets were illuminated.
Gradually, parks, squares, and piers also received lighting.
By 1914, there was not a single kerosene lantern, a symbol of pre-electrical period, left on the city’s streets.