UK ends 142 years of coal power as last plant shuts after 57 years of service

The UK closed its last remaining coal power plant as the country marked a definitive swing toward clean energy. Nottinghamshire’s Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station, which had powered the nation for 57 years, officially stopped generating electricity.

This event signals the end of Britain’s 142-year reliance on coal, dating back to 1882 when the world’s first coal-fired power station opened in London. The country will also become the first G7 nation to eliminate coal-fired power production.

Phil MacDonald, managing director of global energy think tank Ember, captured the significance of the moment, “This is the final chapter of a remarkably swift transition from the country that started the Industrial Revolution.”

The closure also aligns with the UK’s government policy to phase out coal, a plan that was set in motion almost a decade ago.

The journey from coal to renewables

Coal was once the biggest contributor to the UK’s energy mix. Until 2012, it accounted for close to 39% of the country’s electricity produced.

However, renewable sources of energy, besides policies implemented by the government, have now reduced their share to very minimal levels. Coal has a contribution of less than 2% since 2019, data from Ember has shown.

The UK’s transition away from coal was driven by a combination of factors. Ember’s report , “The UK’s Journey to a Coal Power Phase-Out,” highlights five key factors behind the UK’s swift coal exit: early announcement of a 2025 coal phase-out, carbon pricing, support for offshore wind, market reforms to boost renewables and grid investment.

“The UK provided both the carrots and the sticks,” said MacDonald. “It’s important to signal that polluting sources have an end date, but also to provide an enabling environment to build the new clean energy system.”

Wind and solar energy were the main replacements for coal, with the UK managing to avoid a significant increase in reliance on natural gas. Now, the country looks forward to a fully decarbonized power system by 2030 – a goal quite ambitious yet steadily propelling its clean energy agenda forward.

Massive impact on emissions and costs

The benefits of the UK’s rapid move away from coal are widespread. Carbon emissions avoided since the start of the decline in coal use in 2012 amount to 880 million tonnes.

This exceeds double the total UK emissions in 2023, says Ember. Coal replacement by wind and solar saved an estimated £2.9 billion for the country.

Now, the Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station is part of an increasingly long list of countries phasing coal out entirely. In fact, already more than a third of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) nations are coal-free, and by 2030 three-quarters will be. So, these international climate targets tie into a limit on the increase in global temperatures to 2.7°F (1.5°C).

Globally, coal’s share of electricity generation in OECD countries has dropped to 17%, down from a peak of 36% in 2007. The rapid expansion of solar and wind power has driven 87% of the reduction in coal use during this period.

MacDonald emphasize d the changing role of energy in economic development, “Once, coal power was a byword for industrial growth. Now clean energy is driving economies – and not just in high-income countries, but throughout the world.”

The future of clean energy

With its coal phase-out, the UK is setting a powerful example for other nations aiming to transition to greener energy systems .

The journey from coal to renewables has been remarkably swift, aided by strong government policies, a commitment to decarbonization, and the growth of wind and solar power.

Meanwhile, the UK’s focus on achieving a fully decarbonized power system by 2030 positions the country as a global leader in clean energy.

The lessons learned from its coal phase-out will be crucial as other nations work to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and move toward more sustainable energy sources.