The Ratcliffe-on-Soar coal-fired power station officially closed on September 30, 2024, marking a significant milestone in the UK's energy transition. Having been operational for nearly 60 years, this closure makes the UK the first G7 country to fully end its reliance on coal for electricity generation [c2d7b6ef]. The UK government aims to decarbonise its electricity by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, with Energy Minister Michael Shanks stating that this transition signals the beginning of new energy jobs [c2d7b6ef].
The closure of Ratcliffe-on-Soar is part of a broader trend, as coal's share in the UK's electricity mix has dramatically decreased from 70% in the 1980s to just 1% last year [c2d7b6ef]. The last coal delivery from the station powered 500,000 homes for eight hours, illustrating the diminishing role of coal in the energy landscape [c2d7b6ef]. Uniper, the owner of the power station, will initiate a two-year decommissioning process, during which 350 employees will either be redeployed or face redundancy by 2026 [c2d7b6ef].
This closure comes at a time when the Labour government plans to further decarbonise the energy mix, focusing on investments in renewable energy sources [c2d7b6ef]. The UK's reliance on coal dates back to 1882, and this historic closure represents a pivotal shift towards sustainable energy practices in the nation [c2d7b6ef].