The EC-1 Garbary power plant was built between 1927 and 1929 on Ostrów Tumski in Poznań, designed by architect Stefan Cybichowski. It was a modern coal-fired facility that supplied both electricity and, later, district heating.

During the interwar period, EC-1 became one of the city’s most important energy sources. In 1965, it was officially converted into a combined heat and power plant.

After decades of service, the complex grew outdated, and production was completely shut down in 2016. The site received industrial monument status in 2017, but in 2019 it was sold to a developer. The iconic chimney was demolished in 2020 to make room for redevelopment, although the main buildings are required to be preserved.