In 2025, Britain’s demand for coal fell to just under 1 million tonnes, the lowest level since 1600, a year when Queen Elizabeth I reigned and William Shakespeare’s works first graced the stage. This dramatic decline followed the closure of the Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station, the nation’s last coal-fired plant, which effectively ended the era of coal-powered electricity. Industrial shutdowns, including blast furnaces at Port Talbot, compounded the reduction, leaving coal a minor part of Britain’s energy mix.
The fall in coal use contributed to a 2.4 per cent drop in the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions, reducing total emissions by 9 million tonnes to 364 million tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalents. Emissions have more than halved since 1990 while the economy nearly doubled in size, highlighting Britain’s decoupling of industrial growth from fossil fuel dependence. By comparison, Germany, often seen as a green leader, continues to plan for coal use until 2038, leaving UK emissions 44 per cent lower despite similar population sizes.
Gas use also reached a 34-year low, down 1.5 per cent due to milder weather, lower heating demand, and sustained high prices, while renewable electricity generation, especially solar power, reached record levels. Electric vehicle adoption contributed to a 0.9 per cent drop in oil consumption, although heat pumps made only a modest impact on emissions reductions.
Despite these gains, experts caution that the pace of decline must accelerate to meet the UK’s net zero targets. The 9 million tonne reduction in 2025 fell short of the 15 million tonne annual average needed to reach 2050 goals. Government analysis underscores the challenge, emphasizing that sustained investment in clean energy infrastructure is essential to continue progress.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband faces a decision on adopting a new target to cut emissions by 87 per cent by 2040, while Climate Minister Katie White highlighted Britain’s transformation, calling the country’s coal legacy a foundation for a clean energy future. She noted that embracing homegrown renewable power is essential to shield households from volatile global fossil fuel markets and to secure Britain’s role as a clean energy superpower.
