On September 30, Britain will close its last operational coal-fired power plant, marking the end of an era that has lasted for over five decades. The Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station in Nottinghamshire will cease operations, signaling the country’s departure from coal as it strives to meet its climate goals.
The Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station, which first went into operation in 1967, has a generating capacity of 2,000 megawatts, enough to power approximately 200,000 households. Over its decades of operation, it has produced enough energy to brew over 21 trillion cups of tea, or roughly 10 billion cups per day. According to the energy company Uniper, which owns the plant, the closure will still require two years of decommissioning work, during which 125 employees will need to be retained.
Uniper announced last year that it plans to transition the site to hydrogen production, rather than coal. Hydrogen, unlike fossil fuels, does not emit greenhouse gases when burned. However, most hydrogen is currently produced through a process called steam methane reforming, which still releases greenhouse gases. A cleaner method is electrolysis, which splits water molecules using renewable energy. Uniper is interested in using electrolysis to produce hydrogen at the former coal plant, aiming to reach 500 megawatts of capacity by the end of this decade. This transition could create up to 8,000 new jobs, according to Uniper.
The history of coal in the UK dates back to 1882, when the world’s first coal-fired power station began supplying electricity to the public. By 1900, coal met over 95% of the country’s energy needs. Since the Industrial Revolution, global carbon emissions have surged, increasing by 182 times compared to 1850, according to the World Resources Institute (WRI). Considering the pollution within the UK and its colonial territories, which control territories outside of the US, China, and Russia, the UK has the highest historical carbon emissions of any nation, according to Carbon Brief.
Coal still accounts for over a third of the global power structure, with both its electricity generation and greenhouse gas emissions exceeding those of any other fuel. However, since 2012, coal’s share of British electricity generation has plummeted. By 2023, coal’s share of the UK’s electricity mix will drop to just 1%, from nearly 40% in 2012. The power sector’s greenhouse gas emissions have fallen by 74% over the same period, thanks to the replacement of coal with wind and solar energy.
In 2008, the UK passed the Climate Change Act, which requires the country to phase out coal by 2050 to achieve net-zero carbon emissions. According to E3G, a climate think tank, the closure of the Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station will make the UK the first developed economy and G7 country to eliminate coal power. This marks a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to combat climate change and transition to a cleaner energy future.
The closure of the Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station represents a significant shift in Britain’s energy landscape. It is a testament to the country’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and transitioning to renewable energy sources. As the UK continues to pursue its climate goals, the legacy of coal will fade into history, paving the way for a more sustainable and cleaner energy future.
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