The last coal-fired power station in the UK has closed

Tom Oakley
BBC East Midlands

Coal once dominated many areas of the country, particularly the East Midlands, but the last mine has closed for some time.

At the turn of the 20th century, coal was used to generate more than 95% of the UK’s energy, but last year its share fell to 1%.

Coal is a fossil fuel and has been generating electricity in the UK since the Industrial Revolution, but it is now known to have an adverse impact on the environment.

When coal is burned, greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide are released into the atmosphere.

Image source, PA Media

Over time, the build-up of greenhouse gases released by burning coal has caused global temperatures to rise.

The UK has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.

To help meet the UK’s target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, the government has committed to achieving fully ‘clean’ electricity by 2035 through wind, solar and nuclear power.