Ratcliffe-On-Soar power station, the last link to Britain’s coal-fired past

A famous landmark for those who live near Nottingham or have flown in to East Midlands Airport, the Ratcliffe-On-Soar power station finally closed its doors on the 30th September 2024, marking the end of coal-fired power stations in the UK.

Ratcliffe-On-Soar was originally commissioned in 1967 and powered over 2 million homes. Its’ decommissioning marks the first time since 1882 that Britain will not use coal as part of its energy production base. It’s estimated that the process of shutting down will take around 2 years, ensuring that all of the electrical supplies are inactive, and any harmful materials are removed in preparation for demolition.

The power station occupied 2.7km2 of land, an area which after demolition will be ripe for redevelopment. Developers Arup worked with Uniper (the site owner) and Rushcliffe Borough Council to establish a Local Development Order (LDO) to make the most of the future site. The plan envisages 810,000m2 of advanced manufacturing, green energy creation and logistics floorspace. It estimates the creation of over 7000 new job opportunities generating over £500 million for the local economy.

With the environment taking increasing importance on the national and global stage, the decommissioning of Ratcliffe-On-Soar is vital for Britain’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, and marks a revolutionary step in the makeup of Britain’s energy production.

Here at HWA, we are also big advocates of renewable energy, with our history in PV (photovoltaic) installation. Beginning in 2012, we have installed hundreds of solar panels for residential, industrial and commercial structures, most recently on public buildings for Dorset Council.

Aside from this, HWA’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions is mainly seen through the buildings it designs, whether that be by using timber framework instead of concrete or simply by making sure the construction process is as efficient as possible.

We are determined to play our part in making Britain a greener place.