UK’s 142-year history of coal-fired electricity ends as turbines at Ratcliffe-on-Soar plant in Nottinghamshire stop for good.
Britain's last remaining coal power plant, Ratcliffe-on-Soar in Nottinghamshire, will generate electricity for the final time on Monday, concluding a 57-year run. This closure aligns with the UK government's commitment to phasing out coal power, a policy that was first announced nearly a decade ago.
The shutdown marks the end of 142 years of coal power in Britain, dating back to 1882 when the world's first coal-fired power station, the Holborn Viaduct, began operations. Green campaigners have celebrated this milestone as a significant step in reducing the UK’s carbon emissions and demonstrating international climate leadership, while also ensuring a just transition for workers in the coal industry.
Michael Shanks, the energy minister, remarked, “Today’s closure at Ratcliffe marks the end of an era. Coal workers can be proud of their contributions to powering our nation for over 140 years, and we owe them a debt of gratitude.”
The UK was the first country to set a deadline to end coal power by 2025, implementing increasingly strict regulations to limit coal plant operations. Just before hosting the UN’s Cop26 climate talks in Glasgow in late 2021, ministers moved to accelerate this timeline by a year.
On Monday, the remaining 170 staff at Ratcliffe will gather in the canteen to watch a live stream from the control room as the generating units are turned off for the last time. Plant manager Peter O’Grady expressed, “This year has been filled with poignant moments. I expect there will be some tears as we close this chapter.”
Once employing 3,000 engineers, the workforce at Ratcliffe has dwindled in line with reduced power output. In the early 1980s, coal accounted for 80% of the UK’s electricity, dropping to 40% by 2012, and has continued to decline in the last decade due to high carbon taxes and the rise of cheaper renewable energy sources.
Phil MacDonald, managing director of the global energy think tank Ember, stated, “This is the final chapter in a remarkably swift transition for a country that initiated the industrial revolution.” A report from Ember noted that coal power has halved in OECD countries since its peak in 2007, accounting for 17% of electricity generated last year. Twenty-seven of the 38 member states have pledged to eliminate coal by the end of the decade.
Ed Matthew, director at climate think tank E3G, commented, “The UK was the first to build a coal-fired power station, and it is fitting that it is also the first major economy to exit coal power. This exemplifies true global leadership.”
Tony Bosworth, a campaigner with Friends of the Earth, emphasized the need to transition away from gas as well, advocating for rapid development of the UK’s renewable energy potential while ensuring fairness for workers and communities.
Staff were informed in 2021 about the planned closure in late 2022, but the plant's owner, German energy company Uniper, opted to keep it operational during the Europe-wide gas crisis caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in agreement with the government. Uniper has collaborated with unions to help many engineers find new roles within the company or pursue training for other energy industry jobs. Over 100 staff are expected to remain at Ratcliffe to assist with decommissioning over the next two years.
Michael Lewis, Uniper’s chief executive, stated, “For me, Ratcliffe has always represented more than just a power station; it has been a pillar of the UK’s energy security for decades. Built during an era when coal was central to industrial progress, Ratcliffe powered over 2 million homes and businesses—equivalent to the entire East Midlands region. It has played a crucial role in economic growth and the livelihoods of thousands.”
“As we close this chapter, we honor Ratcliffe’s legacy and its workers while looking forward to a future of cleaner, more flexible energy,” he added.
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