The UK’s last coal-fired power station at Ratcliffe-on-Soar is closing today, marking the end of coal power in the country.
The UK has become the first G7 nation to achieve this milestone, reducing its reliance on coal from 40% of electricity generation in 2012 to zero in 2024.
The UK has seen a substantial rise in wind and solar energy, resulting in a 74% reduction in power sector emissions since 2012.
Minister for Energy Michael Shanks said: “The era of coal might be ending, but a new age of good energy jobs for our country is just beginning.
“The government’s clean energy superpower mission is about creating good jobs in wind power and new technologies like carbon capture and storage.
“That work is helping boost our energy security and independence, protecting families from international hikes in the price of fossil fuels and with it, creating jobs and tackling climate change.”
Lord Deben, formerly the Chair of the Climate Change Committee said: “King Coal is dead. Long live his clean successors. This is the day we finally recognise that we can have power without it costing the Earth.”
