UK’s last coal-fired power station shuts down ending over 140 years of coal power

The UK’s final coal-fired power station, Uniper’s Ratcliffe-on-Soar plant, officially ceased operations yesterday, marking the end of over 140 years of coal-powered electricity generation in the country. The closure is a pivotal moment in the UK’s transition towards cleaner energy sources.

Ratcliffe-on-Soar, located near Nottingham, first began generating power in 1967 and has been vital to the country’s energy supply for nearly six decades. With a 2GW capacity, it produced enough electricity to power two million homes, generating energy equivalent to over 21 trillion cups of tea. Its eight towering 114-metre-high cooling towers have long been a familiar sight in the East Midlands.

A historic milestone in the UK’s energy journey

Michael Lewis, CEO of Uniper, reflected on the significance of the plant’s closure, stating: "Ratcliffe has always been more than just a power station—it has been a pillar of the UK's energy security for decades. As we close this chapter, we honour Ratcliffe’s legacy and the people working here, while embracing the future of cleaner and flexible energy."

The shutdown aligns with the UK government’s commitment, announced in 2015, to end coal-fired electricity generation by 2024 as part of its broader decarbonisation efforts. This target was reaffirmed in 2020 when the final closure date was set for October 2024. The plant’s final moments were marked earlier this year, including the last delivery of coal in June and the last time all four of its 500MW units operated together in January.

Emotional farewell for employees

Minister for Energy, Michael Shanks MP, will visit the Ratcliffe site today to attend a special closure event, meeting employees and recognising the plant’s role in the nation’s energy history. For many of the 170 Uniper employees, the closure is a deeply emotional moment. Some staff have worked at Ratcliffe for their entire careers, and many have spent decades working alongside friends, family, and neighbours.

Peter O’Grady, the plant’s manager, said: "It is an emotional day for me and the team. When I started 36 years ago, none of us imagined a future without coal generation. I am incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together over the years."

Uniper has committed to supporting the workforce, offering opportunities for redeployment within the wider company and redundancy packages for those unable to secure new roles.

Environmental legacy and decommissioning

Ratcliffe has been a pioneer in reducing emissions from coal power. It was the only coal plant in the UK fitted with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology, reducing nitrogen oxides by up to 95%, alongside Flue-Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) technology to reduce sulphur dioxide emissions. These technologies allowed Ratcliffe to operate in compliance with strict environmental standards until its closure.

Now that the station has shut down, the site will undergo a two-year decommissioning process, during which hazardous materials such as oils, chemicals, and gases will be safely removed. The decommissioning will prepare the site for eventual demolition, though Uniper is already exploring future uses for the location, with an eye towards renewable energy and low-carbon technologies.

Looking forward

The closure of Ratcliffe signals the end of coal generation in the UK, a landmark in the country’s path to decarbonisation. Uniper plans to focus on investments in renewable energy, carbon capture, and hydrogen as part of its commitment to a cleaner energy future.

Mike Lockett, Uniper’s UK Country Chair, commented: "As we mark the end of coal generation for Uniper in the UK, we are already looking at what comes next for the site. I’d like to thank all our colleagues, past and present, who have worked tirelessly to keep the station operating and delivering reliable energy for 57 years."

The end of coal power in the UK is a historic milestone, signifying the nation's commitment to a greener energy future and the ongoing transformation of its energy landscape.