Hydroelectric power plant "White coal" in the same village of the Stavropol territory is the first commercial hydroelectric power plant (HPP) in the Russian Empire. Hydroelectric power station was constructed in 1903 on a mountain river Podkumok and operated the Vladikavkaz railway. Power - 990 liters (740 kW) voltage of 8000 V. station Project was developed by the famous engineers Chatelain, M. A. and G. O. Graftio

The construction of the station began in may 1903, In August of the same year were running turbos supplying electricity to four of the resort town of the region. Thanks HPP "White coal" the streets were lit by lanterns, running tram line Kislovodsk and Pyatigorsk. Also generated by the power plant electricity to drive the pumps for supplying mineral water in health institutions.

Ten years after the first launch of the HPP M Chatelain for the experiment for the first time in Russia carried out a parallel operation Pyatigorsk diesel power plants and hydroelectric power plants "White Coal".

In 1943 during the great Patriotic war of the hydroelectric power plant has been almost completely destroyed. At the end of hostilities, the state Committee of defense of the USSR, it was decided to resume her work. In 1947, the hydroelectric power plant going again, launched the new turbines, production of the Ural plant, which was set in motion two generators 350 kW.

In 1977 HPP "White coal" was stopped, because of damage to the diversion structure during the spring floods: withdrawn from the shores of the river Podkumok almost completely destroyed the main building of the power plant. In 1989-1990, again tried to resume the work of the HPP. But in the end it lasted only ten years, after which another flood destroyed the diversion dam. In December 2003, in the building of the hydroelectric power plant "White coal" has opened a small Museum.