Power station's last coal delivery arrives by rail

The power station's last ever delivery of coal arrived by rail on Friday

A power station's final order of coal has arrived by rail, marking the end of an era for the site, and bringing a new name to the locomotive pulling the load.

Ratcliffe-on-Soar in Nottinghamshire is home to the UK's last remaining coal-fired power station, which is set to shut at the end of September.

The 1,650 tonnes of coal delivered on Friday is expected to be the last ever fuel shipment sent there.

To mark the occasion, the rail operator GB Railfreight (GBRf) has named one of its locomotives "Ratcliffe Power Station".

Pictured (left to right): Peter O'Grady, Uniper; John Smith, GB Railfreight; Mike Lockett, Uniper; Sean Hager, Hargreaves Industrial Services

The site, operated by international energy firm Uniper, has produced electricity for 57 years.

Its final delivery of fuel is enough to generate power for approximately 500,000 homes over eight hours.

Mike Lockett, of Uniper, said: "[This] is a significant moment and one that heralds the end of the story for the power station.

"However, it's not the end for the site as we look towards a future where it could become a zero-carbon technology and energy hub for the East Midlands."

Uniper says it is exploring the potential for hydrogen production.

Mr Lockett added: "We're really proud GBRf has chosen to name a locomotive after Ratcliffe power station."

John Smith, of GBRf, said: "Coal and rail have been pivotal in driving British prosperity for centuries. GBRf has been transporting coal to the station for many years."

During its lifetime, Ratcliffe - commissioned in 1967 - has generated enough power to make more than a billion cups of tea every day.

At the turn of the 20th Century, coal was used to generate more than 95% of the UK's energy, but last year it had fallen to 1%.

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