In a historic moment that marks the end of an era, GB Railfreight has delivered what is likely its final load of coal to Uniper’s Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station in preparation for its closure on September 30.
The 1,650-ton delivery, expected to be the last in the station’s history, will carry enough coal to generate electricity for about 20 years. 500,000 homes for eight hours.
It marks the culmination of a long-standing partnership that has seen more than 6,000 kilotonnes of coal transported from the port of Immingham.
To mark the end of this partnership, GB Railfreight will name one of its locomotives ‘Ratcliffe Power Station’.
Ratcliffe power station was first commissioned in 1967 and is the last operational coal-fired power station in the UK. The power station has four 500 MW units and its total capacity of 2 GW is capable of producing enough electricity to power more than two million homes, approximately the entire East Midlands area.
Over the past 57 years, the electricity generated has produced enough energy to make more than 1 billion cups of tea per day, and more than 21 trillion in total. The Ratcliffe Power Station will remain operational until the end of September.
The delivery of coal marks a major milestone for the power station and the country, as Britain will meet the government’s target to end coal production by 2024. At the turn of the 20th century, coal provided more than 95% of the energy consumed in Britain. By 2023, this figure had fallen to just 1%.
While coal no longer has a place in a low-carbon economy, rail remains as crucial to UK prosperity as ever, contributing £2.45 billion to the national economy, with 90% of these benefits realised outside London and the South East.
To continue to drive economic growth, rail freight is an integral part of the UK’s transition to a low-carbon economy. Each train can carry the equivalent load of up to 129 lorries, reducing emissions from goods transported by 74%.
GB Railfreight has invested approximately £150 million in new bi-mode Class 99 locomotives currently being built in Valencia, Spain. These advanced locomotives will enhance the environmental benefits of transporting freight by rail and help decarbonise the UK’s supply chains.
Mike Lockett, Country Chair of Uniper UK, said:
‘We are very proud that GB Railfreight has chosen to name a locomotive after Ratcliffe Power Station, in honor of 57 years of electricity generation and our people who have worked there.
‘The final delivery of coal is a significant moment and marks the end of the power station’s story. However, it is not the end of the site as we look to a future where it could become a zero-carbon technology and energy hub for the East Midlands.
“The site is subject to a local development order granted by Rushcliffe Council in 2023. This provides a framework for future sustainable development and much of the site is also part of the East Midlands Freeport.
‘We are also investigating the possibilities for future hydrogen production at the Ratcliffe power plant site, all in line with Uniper’s goal to be fully carbon neutral by 2040.
John Smith, CEO of GB Railfreight said:
‘The last coal train to Ratcliffe power station is an historic moment in British history.
‘Coal and railways have been vital to Britain’s prosperity for centuries. GBRf has been transporting coal to the station for many years.’
‘While we rightly recognize that coal must be phased out before Britain can successfully transition to a modern, zero-carbon economy, rail freight will continue to play a key role in the economy of the future. GBRf is investing heavily in decarbonising UK supply chains so that businesses can take full advantage of the environmental benefits that rail offers compared to road freight.”