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Britain’s last remaining coal power plant, Ratcliffe-on-Soar, will cease operations on Monday, bringing an end to 142 years of coal-generated electricity in the nation that pioneered the Industrial Revolution. The plant, located in central England, will complete its last shift at midnight, closing out over five decades of coal-to-power production.

The shutdown is seen as a major milestone in reducing the UK’s carbon emissions and strengthening its position as an international climate leader. The world’s first coal-fired power station, the Holborn Viaduct power station, began generating electricity in 1882, marking the UK’s long legacy in coal energy, which now comes to an end.

Green campaigners have hailed the shutdown as a major achievement, underscoring the importance of a “just transition” for coal industry workers. Energy Minister Michael Shanks remarked, “Ratcliffe’s closure marks the end of an era. Coal workers can be proud of their role in powering our nation for over 140 years, and we owe them a debt of gratitude.”
At its peak, the plant employed 3,000 engineers and provided 80% of the UK’s electricity in the 1980s. However, by the 2010s, coal’s dominance had dwindled due to rising carbon taxes and the growth of renewable energy.

Phil MacDonald, Managing Director of global energy think tank Ember, said, “This marks the conclusion of a remarkably swift transition from the country that began the industrial revolution.” A report by Ember shows that coal power in OECD countries has halved since 2007, with 27 of 38 member states committed to eliminating coal by 2030.
Friends of the Earth campaigner Tony Bosworth emphasised the need to now move away from gas by accelerating the UK’s renewable energy development, stressing that the transition must be fair for workers and communities.

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Although the plant was initially set to close in 2022, it continued operating due to the gas crisis triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Uniper, the plant’s owner, worked with unions to assist staff with retraining and employment opportunities. CEO Michael Lewis praised Ratcliffe’s role in powering over 2 million homes, noting, “As we close this chapter, we honour Ratcliffe’s legacy and embrace the future of cleaner energy.”

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