The UK is about to close a major chapter in its energy history, as it halts electricity production from coal after 142 years of reliance on the fossil fuel. On Monday, the country's last operational coal power station, Ratcliffe-on-Soar, will shut down after over five decades of operation, marking a significant milestone in the UK’s efforts to combat climate change.

The closure of Ratcliffe-on-Soar underscores the UK's transition towards cleaner energy sources and its ambitions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Coal, the dirtiest fossil fuel, has long been a major contributor to global warming due to the high levels of carbon dioxide it releases when burned. As Michael Shanks, Minister for Energy, put it: "We owe generations a debt of gratitude as a country."

A Coal-Powered Past

The UK holds a unique place in the history of coal energy. It was the birthplace of coal-powered electricity, with the world’s first coal-fired power station—Holborn Viaduct—being built in London in 1882 by inventor Thomas Edison. This station was pivotal in bringing electricity to the streets of the capital and laid the groundwork for the nation’s industrial expansion.

For much of the 20th century, coal was the dominant source of electricity in the UK, powering homes, factories, and the entire economy. In fact, coal supplied virtually all of the country's electricity needs for decades. However, in the early 1990s, coal began to lose its prominence as natural gas entered the energy mix. Even so, as recently as 2012, coal still generated 39% of the UK’s electricity.

The Transition to Renewables

The scientific consensus around climate change in the early 2000s spurred global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and coal, as the dirtiest fossil fuel, became a clear target. In 2008, the UK took a bold step by setting its first legally binding climate targets. Seven years later, in 2015, then-Energy Secretary Amber Rudd announced that the country would phase out coal power entirely within a decade.

This decision helped set the wheels in motion for a nationwide shift toward renewable energy. Dave Jones, Director of Global Insights at Ember, noted that this clear direction “set in motion” the end of coal power and signalled leadership on the global stage. Lord Deben, the UK's longest-serving environment secretary, remarked that this move provided a powerful example for other nations: "I think it's made a big difference, because you need someone to point to and say, 'There, they've done it. Why can't we do it?'"

The UK’s pivot towards renewables has been nothing short of remarkable. In 2010, renewable energy sources accounted for just 7% of the UK’s power. By the first half of 2024, this figure had grown to more than 50%, marking a new record for the country. The rapid growth of green energy sources like wind and solar allowed the UK to experience its first coal-free days in 2017.

A Momentous Closure

The early success of renewable energy prompted the UK to bring forward its target date for ending coal power by a year, resulting in the imminent closure of Ratcliffe-on-Soar. Chris Smith, who has worked at the plant for 28 years, reflected on the plant’s legacy: "It is a very momentous day. The plant has always been running, and we've always been doing our best to keep it operating... It is a very sad moment."

For many, the closure also recalls the turbulent period in the 1980s when much of the UK’s coal industry was dismantled, leading to widespread job losses. Lord Deben, who served in Margaret Thatcher’s government at the time, emphasised the importance of learning from past mistakes, particularly in supporting workers transitioning out of the fossil fuel industry. “The government is trying to make sure that the new jobs, of which there are many green jobs, go to the places which are being damaged by the changes,” he said, referencing efforts to establish renewable energy projects like carbon capture and storage in areas affected by the decline of coal.

The Road Ahead: Challenges and Innovation

Despite the major shift away from coal, the transition to renewable energy presents challenges. Unlike coal, renewable sources like wind and solar are dependent on weather conditions, meaning they cannot always provide a constant and reliable energy supply. This intermittency requires innovative solutions to maintain grid stability.

Kayte O'Neill, Chief Operating Officer at the Energy System Operator, explained that “a whole load of innovation” is required to ensure the stability of the UK's electricity grid. One key technology that promises to address this challenge is battery storage, which can store excess energy generated by renewables and release it when demand is high.

Significant progress has already been made in battery technology, according to Dr. Sylwia Walus, a research programme manager at the Faraday Institution. However, further improvements are needed to make batteries more sustainable and affordable. Dr. Walus also noted the importance of reducing the UK's reliance on China for battery production, suggesting that the country needs to invest in its own manufacturing capabilities and skilled workers.

The end of coal power in the UK marks a historic moment in the country’s energy journey, as it moves away from one of the most polluting energy sources toward a more sustainable future. While challenges remain, particularly around grid stability and battery technology, the UK's leadership in this transition sets a powerful example for other nations to follow.

As Lord Deben highlighted, “Britain built her whole strength on coal, that is the industrial revolution,” and now, it becomes the first major economy to give it up. This shift demonstrates the country's commitment to tackling climate change and building a greener future for generations to come.