View of the Moabit combined heat and power plant

Pioneer of Industrial Power Generation – This power plant opened in 1900. It was placed not downtown but rather on the outskirts of the city, at a convenient location that left room for expansion. The advantages were obvious: coal was delivered by boat and train, cooling water came from the canal, and the city center was spared fuming smokestacks. The plant’s impressive façade reflected the pride taken in the new technology. It was designed by Franz Schwechten, Emperor Wilhelm II’s court architect. Since 2013, the plant has also used biomass as an energy source.