Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station Marks End of Coal Generation in the UK After 140 Years

Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station Marks End of Coal Generation in the UK After 140 Years

(IN BRIEF) The Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station, operated by Uniper near Nottingham, officially ceased coal generation on September 30, 2024, marking the end of over 140 years of coal-fired power in the UK. Since its commissioning in 1967, the station has played a significant role in providing energy, generating enough power for approximately two million homes and producing enough electricity for over 21 trillion cups of tea. Michael Lewis, CEO of Uniper, highlighted the station’s historical importance and the company’s commitment to transitioning toward cleaner energy technologies. The closure comes after a government mandate to phase out coal power, with a decommissioning process expected to take around two years. Minister for Energy, Michael Shanks MP, is set to visit the site to commemorate this pivotal moment in the UK’s energy landscape.

(PRESS RELEASE) BIRMINGHAM, 3-Oct-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — On September 30, 2024, Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station officially closed its doors, marking the end of over 140 years of coal-fired power generation in the UK. Located near Nottingham, this facility, operated by Uniper, began generating electricity in 1967 and will conclude operations at midnight, signaling a significant milestone in the UK’s transition to cleaner energy sources.

As employees complete their final shifts, the power station reflects on its critical role in powering the nation. Throughout its operational years, Ratcliffe-on-Soar has generated enough energy to brew more than 21 trillion cups of tea, with a 2GW capacity sufficient to supply electricity to around two million homes. Its iconic cooling towers, standing at 114 meters, have long been a defining feature of the East Midlands skyline.

Michael Lewis, CEO of Uniper, expressed his sentiments about the closure: “Ratcliffe has been more than just a power station; it has been a cornerstone of the UK’s energy security for decades. Built at a time when coal was essential for industrial growth, Ratcliffe has powered homes and businesses across the East Midlands, contributing to economic progress and providing livelihoods for countless individuals. Today marks the first time since 1882 that coal will not fuel Great Britain. As we close this chapter, we honor Ratcliffe’s legacy and the dedication of its workforce while looking toward a future of cleaner, more flexible energy. Uniper is committed to investing in technologies such as carbon capture and storage, renewables, and hydrogen to decarbonize our remaining assets and provide reliable, low-carbon energy to our customers.”

Minister for Energy, Michael Shanks MP, is scheduled to visit the site tomorrow for a closure event, commemorating this historic transition. He will have the opportunity to meet with employees, delve into the station’s history, and tour the notable cooling towers just hours after operations cease.

The closure countdown began in 2015 when the UK government set plans to phase out coal power over the next decade, confirming the October 2024 end date in 2020. Since then, the station has witnessed poignant milestones, such as the last operation of all four 500MW units in January and the final coal delivery in June 2024, celebrated with a specially named locomotive.

For the team at Ratcliffe, this closure is a bittersweet moment. Plant Manager Peter O’Grady shared, “Today is emotional for everyone involved. When I began my career 36 years ago, a future without coal generation seemed unimaginable. I take immense pride in our collective achievements over the years and in being part of this pivotal moment for the country as we transition to cleaner energy.”

The closure impacts the 170 employees at the site, many of whom have dedicated their careers to Ratcliffe, with some retiring as the station shuts down. Uniper is committed to supporting its staff by providing opportunities for redeployment within the broader organization and implementing measures to assist those departing the company.

Thanks to investments in technological advancements, Ratcliffe successfully transitioned from delivering baseload power to more flexible generation, responding to the national grid’s needs. This adaptability, alongside efforts to reduce emissions, has enabled the power station to stand as the last coal plant in the UK.

Ratcliffe-on-Soar is distinguished as the only coal-fired facility in the country equipped with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology, capable of reducing nitrogen oxide emissions by 70-95%. It also features a Flue-Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) plant, which removes sulfur dioxide from exhaust gases, ensuring compliance with stringent environmental standards.

Following its closure, the site will undergo a decommissioning process expected to last around two years before it can be handed over to a demolition contractor.

Mike Lockett, Uniper UK Country Chair, stated: “Ratcliffe power station has been vital in providing electricity for the past 57 years. As we conclude coal generation in the UK, we also look ahead to the future of this site. I extend my gratitude to all our colleagues, past and present, for their hard work in ensuring reliable power generation over the decades.”

Facts and Figures about Ratcliffe Power Station:

• Located on a 270-hectare site adjacent to the East Midlands Parkway railway station.
• Employs approximately 350 Uniper colleagues and contractors, which can rise to 600 during outages.
• Construction began in 1963, with the first unit operational in 1967 and full commissioning in 1970.
• Ratcliffe has a generation capacity of 2GW, sufficient to power more than two million homes.
• Since 1967, the station has produced enough energy to make over 21 trillion cups of tea.
• It has received approximately 141,768 coal deliveries by rail, with the final shipment occurring on June 28, 2024.
• The power station has eight cooling towers, each measuring 114 meters high.
• Decommissioning is set to start in October 2024, focusing on removing hazards before transferring the site for demolition.

About Uniper

Düsseldorf-based Uniper is an international energy company with activities in more than 40 countries. With around 7,000 employees, it makes an important contribution to security of supply in Europe. Uniper’s core businesses are power generation in Europe, global energy trading, and a broad gas portfolio. Uniper procures gas – including liquefied natural gas (LNG) – and other energy sources on global markets. The company owns and operates gas storage facilities with a capacity of more than 7 billion cubic meters. Uniper plans for its 22.5 GW of installed power-generating capacity in Europe to be carbon-neutral by 2035. The company already ranks among Europe’s largest operators of hydroelectric plants and intends to further expand solar and wind energy, which are essential for a more sustainable and autonomous future.

Uniper is a reliable partner for communities, municipal utilities, and industrial enterprises for planning and implementing innovative, lower-carbon solutions on their decarbonization journey. Uniper is a hydrogen pioneer, is active worldwide along the entire hydrogen value chain, and is conducting projects to make hydrogen a mainstay of the energy supply.

Boilerplate

This report may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Uniper SE Management and other information currently available to Uniper. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. Uniper SE does not intend, and does not assume any liability whatsoever, to update these forward-looking statements or to modify them to conform with future events or developments.

Media Contacts:

Sara Revell
Uniper in the UK: Senior Press officer
Pressoffice.uk@uniper.energy
+44 121 3 294 404

Lucas Wintgens
Spokesperson/ Corporate & Renewables
lucas.wintgens@uniper.energy
+49 1 60-9 56 53 00 4

SOURCE: Uniper