The UK has become the first G7 nation to end coal power generation. Credit: Daria Nipot via Shutterstock.

The UK has announced the closure of Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station, the country’s last coal-fired power station, located in Nottinghamshire.

With the closure of the Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station, the UK has become the first G7 nation to end coal power generation.

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UK Minister for Energy Michael Shanks said: “Today’s closure at Ratcliffe marks the end of an era and coal workers can be rightly proud of their work powering our country for over 140 years. We owe generations a debt of gratitude as a country.

“The era of coal might be ending, but a new age of good energy jobs for our country is just beginning.”

Since its inception in 1968, Ratcliffe-on-Soar has been a significant part of the UK’s energy landscape.

By 1981, the power station was burning approximately 5.5 million tonnes of coal annually, accounting for 65% of the coal output from south Nottinghamshire’s mines.

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This closure is seen as a pivotal moment for the UK’s commitment to reducing its contribution to fossil fuel emissions.

Uniper, the owner of the power station, has announced plans for the site’s redevelopment after receiving approval from Rushcliffe Borough Council.

Meanwhile, in another development, Uniper is also permanently closing the Heyden 4 hard coal power plant located in Petershagen, near Minden.

The company decided to close the plant at the end of 2020. The power plant has a net capacity of 875MW and currently has 80 employees.

It is working on a comprehensive plan for the site in collaboration with the town of Petershagen to generate future employment opportunities.

Uniper COO Holger Kreetz said: “Since 1987, our employees at the power plant Heyden 4 have made an important contribution to the security of supply in Northern and Western Germany. Electricity has been generated at the site itself since 1951.

“The final shutdown is a consistent step both for the Federal Republic of Germany to phase out coal-fired power generation and as part of the transformation of the Uniper portfolio.”