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The UK will no longer produce electricity from burning coal as it has closed its last coal power plant, Ratcliffe-on-Soar in Nottinghamshire.
The closure of the power station marks the end of Britain’s 142-year dependence on fossil fuels to generate electricity, which began in 1882 with the Holborn Viaduct power station in London. Most of the plant’s employees will remain to assist with the decommissioning process, which is expected to take at least two years.
Why Has the UK Shut down All Its Coal Power Stations?
Coal is the dirtiest fossil fuel, producing the most greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide when burned. In 2022, 30% of all harmful greenhouse gases were generated by coal burning. During the peak years when coal was the UK’s main energy source, the country’s coal-powered stations emitted more than 150 million tons of carbon dioxide on a yearly basis.
By completely eliminating its reliance on coal for electricity generation, the UK has achieved a major milestone in its efforts to reduce its contribution to climate change. The country has replaced coal with wind and solar power, which now provide over 50% of the nation’s electricity. The UK also plans to have a fully decarbonized power system by 2030.
Coal was one of the primary sources of energy for the UK in the 1990s, with around 80% of the country’s energy supply coming from coal burning. However, over time, the UK has reduced its dependence on coal for energy production. In 2012, coal was responsible for only 39% of the UK’s energy production, a significant decline from 80% in 1990. The numbers continued to improve; last year, the UK’s reliance on fossil fuels was just 1%.
Phasing out coal power is also expected to be cost-efficient. The country will save around £2.9 billion in costs by replacing coal with renewable resources.
The UK Is the First Country in the G7 Bloc to Phase Out Coal Power
G7 countries made a deal in April to phase out coal power by 2035, and the UK has now become the first country to achieve that goal. However, this doesn’t mean the UK is the first country in the world to entirely phase out coal. Sweden and Belgium are among the first nations globally to have completely eliminated coal for energy production.
France is expected to completely drop coal around 2027, while Canada will make a similar move by 2030.
Challenges for China and India
A similar transition is not expected as quickly in countries like India and China. Together, these nations are responsible for two-thirds of the coal power generated today.
Their massive coal capacity is the primary reason they can’t transition quickly. China has a coal capacity of 1,100GW, while India has 240GW. Furthermore, with the increasing infrastructure and development in these countries, the rising electricity demand forces both nations to continue relying on coal power.
A remarkable feat!
Crossing 1 Billion Tonnes in coal and lignite production marks a historic milestone for India, reflecting our commitment to ensuring a vibrant coal sector. This also ensures India's path towards Aatmanirbharta in a vital sector. https://t.co/GxHxnL15zL
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 1, 2024
While renewable energy has been growing exponentially in both countries — China, for instance, added seven times more renewable energy capacity than coal last year — it will need to accelerate even faster to keep up with the growing demand.
