Coal power will no longer be used in UK from October 2024

30 June 2021, 00:22 | Updated: 30 June 2021, 11:41

The UK has been reducing its use of coal power in favour of renewables
The UK has been reducing its use of coal power in favour of renewables. Picture: PA

By Patrick Grafton-Green

Coal will no longer be used to generate electricity in the UK from October 2024, the Government has confirmed.

The phase-out for unabated coal power, which does not capture and permanently bury its carbon dioxide emissions, had been originally scheduled for October 2025.

Coal's contribution to the UK's power mix has dropped from around 40% less than a decade ago to just 1.8% last year, when the grid went 5,000 hours without coal-fired electricity and saw more than a third of the country's power coming from wind.

READ MORE: Boris Johnson to demand world leaders ‘get serious’ about climate change

READ MORE: New map shows 'worst case' impact climate change could have on UK

The UK grid's shift from coal towards renewables has helped drive down emissions as part of the legal target to cut pollution to net zero by 2050.

However, meeting that goal now needs more efforts to clean up home heating, transport, industry and farming.

Ministers hope the UK phase out of coal will send a signal to other countries that will help drive a global move away from one of the most carbon polluting fossil fuels to tackle climate change.

There are just three operational coal power plants in the UK, since the remaining coal units at Drax in North Yorkshire were mothballed in March, and all are expected to close by October 2024.

Energy and Climate Change Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan said: "Today we're sending a clear signal around the world that the UK is leading the way in consigning coal power to the history books and that we're serious about decarbonising our power system so we can meet our ambitious, world-leading climate targets."

Alok Sharma, President of the international Cop26 climate summit which is being held in Glasgow in November, added: "Ahead of Cop26, I hope the UK's decisive step towards a cleaner, greener future sends a clear signal to friends around the world that clean power is the way forward."

Mr Sharma has previously said the United Nations climate summit, which aims to drive worldwide action to limit dangerous global warming, must consign coal power to history.

But the Government came under fire earlier this year for failing to step in to halt the go-ahead for a coking coal mine, for use in steel production, in Cumbria.

Ministers have now "called in" the planned mine to assess the application.

The phase-out is for electricity generation and does not include other uses of coal such as the steel industry or domestic coal mines.

Industry body Energy UK's chief executive Emma Pinchbeck said: "As we face the challenge of cutting emissions across the whole economy, the experience of the power sector shows that, with a clear direction and the right policies in place, we've been able to change quicker than anyone believed possible.

"What we need now is support for the rapid growth of renewables, and secure investment in other low-carbon sources to replace fossil fuels and ensure security of supply as we increase electricity demand for heat and transport."

She called on the Government to provide long-term, stable policy that gives the industry and investors confidence.

Friends of the Earth energy campaigner Tony Bosworth said: "Although this is welcome news, coal was already fading into the history books.

"But ministerial boasts about taking radical action to completely eliminate this dirty fuel ring hollow while this Government is still sitting on the fence about a new coal mine in Cumbria."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Thames Water faces an investigation over concerns it will not complete more than 100 environmental schemes funded by customers.

Thames Water under investigation for late delivery of environmental schemes

Heathrow will expand two terminals ahead of a third runway.

Heathrow to expand two terminals in multibillion-pound investment ahead of controversial third runway

Donald Trump has ordered the release of the last classified files surrounding the assassination of John F. Kennedy on Thursday, vowing that ‘everything will be revealed’.

'Two shooters' involved in JFK assassination, claims task force head - as FBI reveals thousands of secret files

A large police presence remains in place

Police continue 'challenging' negotiations with 'armed' man in Sheffield apartment block

People continue their daily life under difficult conditions at Jabalia Refugee Camp, located in the north of the Gaza Strip, as they struggle to survive among the rubble of buildings destroyed by Israeli attacks

Gazan family allowed to settle in UK under Ukrainian scheme - as Home Office warns of 'floodgates opening'

John Tuckett

Labour's new borders watchdog 'to work from home in Finland', 1,200 miles from London

President Donald Trump speaks with Jordan's King Abdullah II in the Oval Office at the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in Washington. (Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump doubles down on pledge to 'take over Gaza', as Netanyahu threatens return to war if Israeli hostages not freed

The Princess of Wales, Patron of Action for Children, during a visit to a mother and baby unit inside HMP Styal in Wilmslow

Kate met with wolf-whistles and cries for 'more funding' as she visits women's prison

Domestic cat balancing on garden fence, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Police hunt mystery cat coiffeur after felines in rural Lincolnshire village return home missing patches of fur

Liam Payne and Maya Henry

Liam Payne 'smoked heroin and sexted fans': Bombshell revelations as ex-fiancee breaks silence on star's death

Exclusive
Bridget Phillipson has said Yvette Cooper will 'make sure' vetting of Metropolitan Police officers is 'overhauled'

Home secretary will ensure 'overhaul' of Met vetting process following controversial High Court ruling, Phillipson says

Exclusive
James Cleverly

James Cleverly slams 'Orwellian' assisted dying bill as High Court judge sign-off to be scrapped

The Church of England's governing body has voted against a fully independent safeguarding body

Church of England vote 'a punch in the gut for victims' as Synod rejects independent safeguarding

Oliver Ryan and Andrew Gwynne have been suspended

Eleven Labour councillors suspended for being part of offensive WhatsApp group after two MPs also punished

A major travel agent has urged families to go on holiday during Easter rather than the summer

Save thousands by going on holiday at Easter instead of summer, British families told

Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened to tear up the ceasefire deal

Netanyahu’s ultimatum to Hamas: Return hostages by Saturday deadline or ceasefire gives way to 'intense fighting'