Lenenergo has always been one of Russia's most progressive power companies. Russia’s first stationary power plants were built in 1897–1898 in Saint Petersburg on Obvodnoy Canal (constructed by the Electric Lighting Company of 1886), on Novgorod Street (by Helios from Cologne, Germany), and on the Fontanka Embankment (by a Belgian company). In 1907, the renowned Russian scientist Genrikh Graftio designed and commissioned the Tramway Power Station.