Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station has been generating electricity since 1968 via its four coal-fired boilers, eight vast cooling towers and 199-metre tall chimney, which occupies a prominent spot in the East Midlands skyline.
It is able to power about 2 million homes and has been the last station of its kind in the UK since September 2023, when Northern Ireland’s Kilroot power station stopped producing electricity from coal.
Britain’s journey away from coal has been driven by a combination of decarbonisation targets and a dramatic rise in the viability and affordability of renewable energy.
“This is a British success story overseen by successive governments of different stripes,” Jess Ralston, head of energy at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) said. “There were those who warned of blackouts as coal disappeared from the power system, but their predictions of doom have been proven wrong again and again.”
Many of the 170 people employed by the plant’s owner, Uniper, will stay on to help with the two-year decommissioning process. Ratcliffe’s closure put a full stop to the country’s use of coal for electricity, which began with the Holborn Viaduct power station in London in 1882, the first of its type in the world.
Coal went on to play a major role in the national energy supply throughout the 20th century and accounted for about 80 per cent of UK power in 1990, falling to 39 per cent in 2012. Since then, 15 coal power plants closed or switched fuels and last year the fossil fuel made up just 1 per cent of the UK’s supply, according to data from National Grid’s electricity system operator.
Meanwhile, renewables, mainly wind and solar power, now make up more than half of the mix, according to government statistics. Gas has also played a part in the switch, rising from 28 per cent of the power mix in 2012 to 34 per cent last year.
This story is from the October 01, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 01, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Hometown glory awaits for Liverpool's next big fighter
In a year when truly giant fights have dominated the boxing landscape, Nick Ball has been in two of the very best and is a genuine world champion.
Captain sinks to new low leaving Ten Hag all at sea
The defence calls the Tottenham No 10. “Even [James] Maddison when he gets up, he said it was a foul but never a red card,” insisted Bruno Fernandes.
Guardiola's troubles stretch beyond absence of Rodri
Manchester City began without one of the outstanding individuals of last season.
Arteta returns to the French club that ‘ignited' his career
It was an approach that Mikel Arteta almost immediately dismissed, although there was a moment’s consideration due to a previous connection.
AHEAD OF THE GAME
The uncompromising banking drama Industry’ is raising the stakes. It’s smart, seedy, and offers a breath of fresh air in a television anseap full of superheroes, writes Nick Hilton
LET'S GET PHYSICAL
Jilly Cooper said she thinks running has taken the place of more intimate activities. Helen Coffey asks if she’s right and whether exercise is really to blame for our loss of libido
'I think that human lives have become a lot cheaper'
In his new book Resolution’, Irvine Welsh proves his writing has lost none of its bite. He speaks to Chris Harvey about how identity politics has played into the hands of the wealthy
Third British judge leaves role in Hong Kong court
A third British judge has left a top Hong Kong Court amid growing calls for them to step down over a China-imposed crackdown on dissent.
Putin is trying to ‘erase' Ukraine, tennis star warns
Russian president Vladimir Putin is waging war to try and wipe Ukraine off the map, the country’s top tennis player has warned.
Rat infestation threatening priceless museum artefacts
A rat infestation is threatening one of India’s finest collections of royal artefacts at the country’s own Albert Hall – now a museum in the Rajasthani city of Jaipur.