UK Closes Ratcliffe-on-Soar, Ending 142 Years of Coal Power

Sep 30, 2024, 06:37 AM

The United Kingdom has officially closed its last remaining coal-fired power plant, Ratcliffe-on-Soar, marking the end of an era for the nation that pioneered the industrial revolution. This closure makes the UK the first G7 country to completely phase out coal power, a significant milestone in its transition to cleaner energy. Ratcliffe-on-Soar, located in Nottinghamshire, has been operational since 1963 and has played a crucial role in the country's energy production. The shutdown of this plant, which was running at half output of 250MW before closure, is seen as a testament to the UK's successful efforts to reduce carbon emissions. The plant's closure also symbolizes the end of over 142 years of coal-powered electricity in the UK, a country that once relied heavily on coal for its energy needs. The last time the UK built a coal-fired power station was about 50 years ago.