The UK’s last coal-fired power station closed on the 30th of September, nearly 142 years after the world’s first coal-fired power station was built in London, by Thomas Edison.
“It’s a really remarkable day, because Britain, after all, built her whole strength on coal, that is the industrial revolution,” said Lord Deben – the longest serving environment secretary.
The point of no return
In 2008, the UK established its first legally binding climate targets and in 2015 the then-energy and climate change secretary, Amber Rudd, told the world the UK would be ending its use of coal power within the next decade.
Dave Jones, director of global insights at Ember, an independent energy think tank, said this really helped to “set in motion” the end of coal by providing a clear direction of travel for the industry.
But it also showed leadership and set a benchmark for other countries to follow, according to Lord Deben.
“I think it’s made a big difference, because you need someone to point to and say, ‘There, they’ve done it. Why can’t we do it?'”, he said.
In 2010, renewables generated just 7% of the UK’s power. By the first half of 2024, this had grown to more than 50% – a new record.
The rapid growth of green power meant that coal could even be switched off completely for short periods, with the first coal-free days in 2017.
You can watch how Britain is generating electricity today, at Gridwatch