The Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station in Nottinghamshire officially closed on October 1, 2024, marking a significant milestone in the United Kingdom's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. This 2,000-megawatt facility has supplied energy to approximately 2 million homes since its inception in 1967.
The closure is part of the UK's broader strategy to decarbonize its energy grid by 2030, following a plan initiated in 2015 to phase out coal-powered plants. Originally set for completion by 2025, the deadline was accelerated by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson to demonstrate leadership in climate action ahead of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference.
Coal's contribution to the UK’s electricity generation has drastically declined from around 80% in 1990 to just 1% in 2023. In contrast, the energy mix now includes nearly 35% from gas, 33% from wind and solar, 12% from bioenergy, and 14% from nuclear sources.
Uniper, the company operating the Ratcliffe-on-Soar facility, announced that it will take about two years for the plant to be fully decommissioned. Uniper CEO Michael Lewis emphasized the closure as a pivotal moment, stating, 'This is absolutely a key milestone in delivering that, and we shouldn't underestimate how important this is.' This marks the first time in 142 years that coal will be absent from the UK energy system.
Prior to its closure, the plant employed around 170 individuals, with some planning to assist in the decommissioning process while others have opted for retirement or voluntary redundancy. Uniper intends to transform the site into a 'low-carbon energy hub,' exploring options for advanced manufacturing and energy storage.
This closure aligns with recent commitments from G7 energy leaders to phase out coal by the early 2030s, echoing goals set by the Biden administration in the United States. In April 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency implemented regulations requiring coal plants to capture 90% of their carbon emissions or face closure by 2039, a move projected to reduce climate pollution significantly.