Milestone for UK's green plan as final coal power station closes

Britain's only remaining coal power plant will generate electricity for the last time today, after operating for 57 years.

- Jillian Ambrose

The power station at Ratcliffe-onSoar in Nottinghamshire will come to the end of its life in line with the government's world-leading policy to phase out coal power, which was first signalled almost a decade ago.

The closure marks the end of Britain's 142-year history of coal power use, which began when the world's first coal-fired power station, the Holborn Viaduct in central London, began generating electricity in 1882.

Closure has been hailed as a big milestone in reducing the UK's carbon emissions, providing international climate leadership and ensuring a "just transition" for staff.