Chamber: Closure of Britain’s last coal fired power station is chance for Green Growth lead in East Midlands

A spokesperson for the East Midlands Chamber has described the closure of Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station as an opportunity for the region to continue to lead on Green Growth, but added that Government support is needed.

The site ceased producing energy on 30th September 2024.

Director of Policy and Insight Richard Blackmore said: “Having powered millions of East Midlands homes for nearly six decades, the steam from Ratcliffe-on-Soar’s towers is a familiar site, whether you fly into East Midlands Airport or drive along the M1, but the continued transition toward reduced greener energy cannot wait.  

“Reduced carbon emissions and more sustainable energy production take us closer toward reaching Net Zero, will boost employment and the economy through Green Growth.  The East Midlands has development projects underway looking at nuclear fusion, nuclear fission and hydrogen; we have the UK’s only inland Freeport and extensive research is carried out at the region’s universities into future energy technology, but support from the new government is needed.

“With the Autumn Statement fast approaching, it’s essential that priority is given to backing low carbon projects like solar, wind, and small modular nuclear reactors; we need funding for energy storage and grid modernisation and Net Zero initiatives need to be properly incentivised so that the East Midlands can be firmly established as a leader in clean energy.”