UK Closes Last Coal-Fired Power Station After 142 Years, Becoming First G7 Nation to End Coal Power

Sep 30, 2024, 10:05 AM

The United Kingdom has officially closed its last remaining coal-fired power station, Ratcliffe-on-Soar, marking the end of 142 years of coal-generated electricity in the country. This closure makes Britain the first G7 nation to phase out coal power entirely. The Ratcliffe-on-Soar plant, located in Nottinghamshire, has been operational since the 1960s and was running at half output of 250MW before its final shutdown on September 30. This milestone is seen as a significant step in the UK's transition to cleaner energy sources and efforts to meet climate targets. The closure also symbolizes the end of an era for a nation that played a pivotal role in the Industrial Revolution, which was heavily powered by coal.