Britain’s only remaining coal power plant at Ratcliffe-on-Soar in Nottinghamshire generated electricity for the last time on Monday after powering the United Kingdom for 57 years.
The power plant came to the end of its life in line with the government’s world-leading policy to phase out coal power which was first signaled almost a decade ago.
The closure marks the end of Britain’s 142-year history of coal power use which began when the world’s first coal-fired power station, the Holborn Viaduct power station, began generating electricity in 1882.
The shutdown has been hailed by green campaigners as a major achievement for the government in reducing the U.K.’s carbon emissions, providing international climate leadership, and ensuring a “just transition” for staff in Britain’s coal industry.
On Monday, Michael Shanks, the minister for energy, said: “Today’s closure at Ratcliffe marks the end of an era and coal workers can be rightly proud of their work powering our cou... Read more