What's happened
The UK's last coal-fired power station, Ratcliffe-on-Soar, is set to close by the end of September, marking the end of an era for the country's coal industry. Meanwhile, private equity firm Blackstone Group has purchased the former Britishvolt site in Northumberland to build one of Europe's largest data centres.
Why it matters
The closure of Ratcliffe-on-Soar signifies the UK's progress towards a cleaner energy future and the shift away from coal power. The development of a large data centre in Northumberland demonstrates the growing demand for digital infrastructure and renewable energy sources, contributing to economic growth and job creation in the region.
What the papers say
The Guardian highlights the historical significance of Ratcliffe-on-Soar's closure and the impact on the local community, while The Independent focuses on Blackstone's plans for the data centre and the economic opportunities it presents for Northumberland. BBC News discusses the collapse of Britishvolt and the transition of the site to a data centre, emphasizing the potential for job creation and investment in the region.
How we got here
Ratcliffe-on-Soar has been the last remaining coal-fired power station in the UK, symbolizing the decline of coal power in the country due to environmental concerns and the shift towards cleaner energy sources. The closure of the plant aligns with the UK government's commitment to phasing out unabated coal power by 2024. The purchase of the former Britishvolt site by Blackstone Group follows the collapse of the battery startup and represents a new chapter in the site's development.
Common question
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Britishvolt is a UK startup manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries for the automotive industry. It began construction of a gigafactory in northeast England in 2021, but work was halted in August 2022 amid funding difficulties, with battery manufacturing no