Shukhov Tower on the Oka River

Shukhov Tower on the Oka River (Dzerzhinsk High-Voltage Mast) is the world’s only surviving hyperboloid electricity pylon. It is located in Russia, in the suburbs of Nizhniy Novgorod, on the left bank of the Oka River near Dzerzhinsk.

The tower was a part of a 110kV-powerline crossing Oka River. Between 1927 and 1929 two parallel running 110kV-three phase AC powerlines were built there. For the crossing of Oka River, 6 hyperbolic pylons ( for each powerline 3) was built, a 20 metre tall anchor pylon, a 68 metre tall crossing pylon on the South shore and a 128 metre tall crossing pylon on the North shore. As the terrain on the South shore is hilly, the pylons there were lower.

In 1989 the powerline was rerouted and the 20 and 68 metre tall pylons were dismantled. The 128 metre pylons remained as a monument. Unfortunately today only on of the 128 metre pylons stands. The other was illegaly scrapped to sell its iron parts.

The tower was originally one of six designed by Russian engineer and scientist Vladimir Shukhov and built between 1927-1929. The unique 128-meter tower served as a supporting pylon for the 120 kV NiGRES electric lines over the Oka River. The tower-pylon consists of five 25-meter steel lattice sections, formed by single-cavity hyperboloids of revolution. The sections of pylon are made of straight profiles, the ends of which rest against circular foundations. The tower's circular concrete foundation has a diameter of 30 meters.

The last pylon out of six constructed by Shukhov on the banks of Oka River needs repair. The "Unified Energy System" company has been using Shukhov's unique constructions for 70 years, but today it does nothing to preserve the last remaining beautiful hyperboloid pylon.

Non-hyperboloid pylons of similar design can be seen near Cadiz, Spain.