Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station in Nottinghamshire is due to shut next week.
Since 1967, it has produced enough energy to make more than one billion cups of tea per dayThe site has been a landmark of the East Midlands for decadesResidents who live near to the site have discussed the impact of the power station on their lives with BBC East Midlands Today.
When asked if a future with clean energy and no blackouts is possible, he said "absolutely", adding that solutions are being worked on now. All that's left now is 3.25 KT . Staff tell me that's enough for engineers to carry out two more "runs" before coal production on the site ends next week.In the control room at the power station – where no photographs are allowed for security reasons – there are two circles of staffed work stations facing large screens.
"We’ve worked so hard to make it the cleanest, but obviously, given the age of the plant, it’s probably about right for us to close and make room for more renewable energy.”Mr O'Grady told BBC Breakfast that the next steps on the site will be to remove and fuels, chemicals and gases, so the station is ready for demolition.
"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."Mr O'Grady, from Lincoln, who joined the industry in 1988, said there would be "a little bit of a celebration" on Tuesday as operation at the site ended.“When I started in the industry, 80% of the UK’s power was from coal, and by the end of next week it will be zero and the lights have stayed on.
Mr O'Grady added: "We can clean dust. We can clean sulphur. We can clean dioxides with nitrogen. We can’t remove the carbon dioxide and that’s the reason why we’re closing."These mighty cooling towers have been a landmark in the East Midlands for decades.
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