The GOELRO plan, short for the State Electrification Plan, represented a monumental economic initiative adopted in 1920. Drafted primarily by Gleb Krzhizhanovsky, it was designed in the aftermath of the Russian Civil War to address the severe challenges facing the economy, including widespread destruction and social upheaval. The 8th Congress of Soviets recognized the urgent need for modernizing infrastructure, particularly focusing on the development of hydroelectric power, which was vital for energizing industries and improving agriculture. The plan outlined ambitious goals for creating a network of power stations across the Soviet Union, projecting the establishment of 30 power plants by 1931 with the intent to electrify the entire country by 1935.

The implementation of the GOELRO plan marked a transition towards a command economy, where the state played a pivotal role in directing economic activities. With the support of the Bolshevik leadership, the plan was not only about power generation; it emphasized the integration of various economic sectors, including transportation, industry, and agriculture, to create a cohesive strategy for national recovery. Key figures like Leon Trotsky endorsed the plan as critical for consolidating Soviet industrial capability, reflecting the ideology of modernity inherent to communist governance.

Despite facing various obstacles, including bureaucratic inefficiencies and limited resources, the GOELRO plan laid the groundwork for subsequent Five-Year Plans that would significantly alter the Soviet landscape. It displayed the Bolsheviks' commitment to scientific and technological advancements as tools for economic transformation, illustrating their belief in the radical potential of state planning to reshape society.