In September 2024, the United Kingdom achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first major economy and G7 nation to completely phase out coal power. While smaller European nations like Belgium, Sweden, Portugal, and Austria have already eliminated coal power, the UK’s transition carries special significance given its economic size and historical relationship with coal power.
The symbolic end of an era
The closure of Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station marks the end of 142 years of coal-fired electricity in Britain. The symbolism is particularly poignant – the nation that opened the world’s first coal-fired power station in 1882 on London’s Holborn Viaduct has now become the first major economy to completely eliminate it. During this period, UK coal plants burned through approximately 4.6 billion tonnes of coal, generating 10.4 billion tonnes of CO2 – more than the entire historical emissions of most countries.
A two-stage revolution
The UK’s transition away from coal occurred in two distinct phases:
1. The “dash for gas” in the 1990s, which saw coal’s share of electricity generation drop from 65% to around 32%
2. The renewable energy revolution of the 2010s, combined with strong environmental policies
By 2023, coal provided just over 1% of UK electricity, while renewables set a new record by providing 44% of the country’s power. This transformation has been particularly dramatic – as recently as 2012, coal still generated 40% of UK electricity.
Who could be next?
Looking at potential followers of the UK’s example, several patterns emerge:
Germany: Despite ambitious climate goals, Germany still produces about 25% of its power from coal and doesn’t plan to complete its phaseout until 2038. Its transition has been slower due to limited hydroelectric resources and its decision to phase out nuclear power.
Japan and South Korea: These nations have made the slowest progress among advanced economies, constrained by limited land for renewable energy development and fewer natural gas reserves.
China and India: Face the steepest challenges as they account for two-thirds of global coal power generation. China has 3.4 million coal miners and 740,000 coal power plant workers, while India has 1.4 million miners and 600,000 power plant workers – making just transition planning crucial.
Keys to success
The UK’s successful transition offers several lessons for other nations:
1. Alternative capacity first
Before phasing out coal, the UK ensured sufficient alternative generation was available. Renewables now dominate the UK’s electricity mix, with wind sometimes outproducing gas as the largest source.
2. Early action on new plants
Unlike countries such as the US and Germany which built new coal capacity around 2010, the UK hasn’t constructed any new coal plants since 1986. This prevented the creation of new vested interests that might have opposed the phase-out.
3. Effective policy framework
The combination of the EU Emissions Trading System, the UK’s additional carbon price floor, and stringent air pollution regulations made coal increasingly uneconomical. The government’s 2015 pledge to phase out coal by 2025 (later accelerated to 2024) provided clear market signals.
The road ahead
While the UK’s achievement is significant, global challenges remain substantial. About 604GW of new coal power capacity is still under development globally, with the vast majority in just a handful of countries including China and India. Globally, 75% of operating coal capacity still lacks a closure commitment.
For developing nations to follow the UK’s lead, international support will be crucial. The G7’s Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs) with countries like South Africa, Indonesia, and Vietnam represent a start, but more comprehensive support will be needed.
The UK’s transition demonstrates that rapid coal phase-out is possible with the right combination of policy measures, investment, and political will. As the world grapples with the urgent need to address climate change, the UK’s experience offers valuable lessons for other nations – but also highlights the complexity of managing this transition in different national contexts.
Looking ahead, the UK isn’t resting on its laurels. The country is now targeting fully decarbonized power by 2030, setting another ambitious example for the world to follow. This new challenge will require phasing out unabated gas power at roughly twice the speed at which coal was eliminated – demonstrating that the end of coal power is just the beginning of the clean energy transition.
