This week marks a historic milestone for the UK as it shuts down the last remaining coal-fired power station, the 2 GW Ratcliffe-on-Soar plant. Once the backbone of the country’s energy supply, coal has been an essential part of the energy mix for over a century. From the world's first coal-fired power station in London in 1882 to powering industries and homes for generations, coal played a vital role in shaping the modern economy.

While there’s a sense of nostalgia, especially among those who built their livelihoods around coal, there’s also acceptance that it’s time to move forward. The UK has shifted toward renewable energy, hopefully ensuring that future generations inherit a cleaner, more sustainable planet. Reporting by Laurence Walker, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Montel. Contributors: Bruce Heppenstall, Plant Director, Drax Power Station; Nigel Yaxley, former Managing Director of the Association of UK Coal Importers and Producers.