UK Closes Last Coal-Fired Power Plant

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Facts

  • The UK was to close its last coal-fired power plant on Monday, ending 142 years of coal-generated electricity dating back to the Industrial Revolution.[1]
  • The closure of the Ratcliffe-on-Soar plant in England's East Midlands, which has been in operation since 1967, culminates a nearly decade-long process to shift away from coal — a fossil fuel that produces the most greenhouse emissions when burned.[2]
  • Despite European countries such as Sweden and Belgium already completing their transition away from coal, the UK has become the first G7 nation to phase out the use of the energy source. In 2012, coal accounted for 39% of UK power.[3]
  • By contrast, France aims to move away from coal by 2027, while Canada has set itself a deadline of 2030. Germany, meanwhile, is not expected to do so until 2038.[4]
  • Uniper, the energy firm that owns Ratcliffe-on-Soar, said that the plant's staff of 125 people would continue to be employed as the site undergoes a two-year decommissioning process.[5]
  • Previously, the firm also said it plans to convert the site into a producer of hydrogen via electrolysis — the process of splitting water particles — adding that it aimed to reach a capacity of 500 megawatts by 2030.[6]

Sources: [1]Associated Press, [2]BBC News (a), [3]LBC, [4]Independent, [5]BBC News (b) and [6]Verge.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by Energy Live News. The closure of the UK's last coal-fired power plant is a huge milestone and is an exemplary success story in how to move away from damaging fossil fuels towards renewable energy. This is global leadership, paving the way for other countries to follow.
  • Narrative B, as provided by Sky News. While the closure of Ratcliffe-on-Soar has a beneficial impact on the release of greenhouse gases, it presents challenges as it leaves the UK exposed to volatile gas prices. Figures show that the UK pays more than any other nation for energy and this has an impact on economic competitiveness.

Predictions