The United Kingdom is set to stop generating electricity from coal, marking the end of its 142-year reliance on the fossil fuel. The country’s last coal power station, Ratcliffe-on-Soar, will cease operations on Monday, having been in operation since 1967. This closure represents a significant milestone in the UK’s commitment to reducing its carbon emissions and combating climate change.
Coal, the dirtiest fossil fuel, has been a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Speaking about the closure, Energy Minister Michael Shanks said, “We owe generations a debt of gratitude as a country.”
This move makes the UK the first major economy to completely give up coal, a notable shift for a country that pioneered coal-powered electricity during the Industrial Revolution. Lord Deben, the UK’s longest-serving environment secretary, called the moment “remarkable,” noting that the country’s industrial strength was historically built on coal.
The world’s first coal-powered station, Holborn Viaduct, was built in London in 1882 by inventor Thomas Edison. Throughout the 20th century, coal was the primary source of the UK’s electricity, until the early 1990s when gas began replacing it.
By 2012, coal still generated 39% of the country’s electricity. However, the shift towards renewable energy sources in the 2010s, coupled with increasing concerns over climate change, led to a dramatic reduction in coal usage. By 2024, renewable energy sources accounted for over 50% of the UK’s power generation.
The decision to phase out coal was set in motion in 2015 when then-Energy Secretary Amber Rudd announced plans to end coal power use within a decade. This move, according to Dave Jones, director of global insights at Ember, set a global benchmark for other countries.
Chris Smith, an employee at Ratcliffe-on-Soar for 28 years, described the closure as a “momentous day,” adding that while it is a sad moment, it is a significant step forward.
Lord Deben also emphasized the importance of ensuring that workers in fossil fuel industries, such as those in the North Sea oil sector, are supported by transitioning them into green energy jobs like wind and solar power.
Despite the success of renewable energy, challenges remain in ensuring a stable energy supply. Renewable sources like wind and solar are weather-dependent, and there is a growing need for battery technology to store surplus energy. Dr. Sylwia Walus of the Faraday Institution highlighted the need for sustainable, cost-effective battery solutions and for the UK to reduce its reliance on China for battery production.
As the UK celebrates this transition away from coal, the focus now shifts to ensuring the country can meet its climate goals while maintaining a secure and stable energy grid.