The UK has reached a historic milestone by shutting down its final coal power plant, marking the end of a 142-year reliance on the dirtiest fossil fuel. The closure of the Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station symbolizes the country’s firm commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and tackling climate change. However, while the UK’s departure from coal is a major achievement, the global picture remains mixed, with some countries still heavily reliant on coal to meet growing electricity demand.
The UK’s Journey Away from Coal
The UK’s relationship with coal began in the 19th century when it fueled the Industrial Revolution. For over a century, coal was the backbone of the British economy, powering industries and homes. In fact, the world’s first coal-fired power station, the Holborn Viaduct, was built in London in 1882. By the early 1990s, however, coal began losing ground to natural gas, and later, renewable energy.
In 2008, the UK introduced its first legally binding climate targets, setting the stage for a gradual phase-out of coal. By 2012, coal still provided nearly 40% of the country’s electricity, but the rapid growth of renewables like wind and solar quickly shifted the balance. By 2024, over 50% of the UK’s electricity came from renewables, and coal plants like Ratcliffe-on-Soar were running on borrowed time.
The closure of the last coal-fired power plant in the UK is not only a victory for the environment but also a model of how countries can transition to cleaner energy sources. Minister for Energy Michael Shanks called it a “remarkable day,” while Lord Deben, the longest-serving environment secretary, noted that this transition is a testament to the UK’s leadership in addressing climate change.
The Global Decline of Coal
While the UK has successfully transitioned away from coal, the same cannot be said for many other countries. Coal is still a dominant energy source globally, providing about 35% of the world’s electricity. This is particularly true in countries like China and India, where rapid economic growth is driving a surge in electricity demand.
China’s electricity demand has skyrocketed from around 400 terawatt-hours in 1985 to 9,500 TWh in 2023. To keep up, the country continues to build coal-fired power plants at a rapid pace, with roughly two-thirds of new coal plants built globally in 2023 located in China. Despite this, China is also investing heavily in renewable energy, and the proportion of coal in its energy mix has slowly declined.
India faces a similar challenge. Coal still accounts for 75% of its electricity generation, and the country’s growing demand for power means that coal will likely remain a key energy source for years to come. Like China, India’s coal industry is vast, making it difficult to phase out coal without significant economic consequences.
The Challenges of Phasing Out Coal
Phasing out coal is not an easy task, especially for countries that rely on it heavily. The coal industries in China and India are relatively young, so closing plants early would result in financial losses. Additionally, coal is often a source of employment for millions, making the economic and social impacts of a phase-out significant.
However, the world is slowly shifting away from coal. Since the 2015 Paris Agreement, which set a goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C above preindustrial levels, many planned coal projects have been canceled. As of 2023, about half of the 1,500 gigawatts of new coal capacity planned worldwide has been shelved.
Countries like the US and Germany have made notable progress in reducing their reliance on coal. In the US, coal’s share of electricity generation has dropped from over 50% to 20% over the past four decades, largely due to the rise of natural gas and renewables. Germany, too, has halved its coal use in the last decade, replacing much of it with wind and solar power.
A Path Forward: Supporting Global Transitions
While wealthier nations like the UK, US, and Germany have made significant strides in phasing out coal, they are also the biggest historical contributors to climate change. Together, Europe and the US have emitted around 40% of the world’s greenhouse gases since 1850, making them more responsible for the current climate crisis.
For countries still heavily dependent on coal, especially developing nations, transitioning away from fossil fuels will require support. Financial assistance, technology sharing, and investment in green jobs are all essential to ensuring a just transition. As Lord Deben pointed out, the lessons learned from the UK’s transition can be applied globally, particularly in regions where jobs in fossil fuels are being lost.
The UK’s closure of its last coal plant is a powerful example of how quickly and effectively a country can transition away from fossil fuels. But as global coal use continues in many regions, richer nations may need to step up and offer more support to ensure the world moves toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.
In conclusion, while the UK has ended its coal era, the world’s journey away from this polluting fuel is far from over. The challenge now is ensuring that the global shift to cleaner energy is just as rapid and equitable as the UK’s transition.
