The UK’s Last Coal Power Station Closes: What It Means for Heating Engineers
Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station
This week, the UK's last coal power station closed, signalling that the country’s energy landscape is undergoing a massive transformation. For over 200 years, coal was king, powering industry and homes alike. But today, renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydro are rapidly replacing fossil fuels in the national grid. With that change comes a new challenge—and opportunity—for those of us in the heating and plumbing industry.
Let’s dig into how the shift from coal to renewables is reshaping the energy landscape, and how heat pump technology fits into the bigger picture of cleaner, greener homes.
Renewables Displaced Coal: What Drove the Change?
A decade ago, coal was responsible for about 40% of electricity generation in the UK; as of this week, it’s been completely phased out, with renewable energy playing a much bigger role. But how did this happen, and why does it matter for heating engineers?
The UK’s shift away from coal has been driven by environmental concerns. Coal plants were big emitters of not just carbon, but also other harmful pollutants which contribute to poor air quality. While these have largely been driven out of the electricity system, homes heated by gas still emit harmful gases. That’s where low-emission heating technologies like air source heat pumps come into play.
Secondly, government policies on carbon pricing made coal-fired electricity too expensive to compete with cleaner alternatives. Policies like the Carbon Price Floor and subsidies for renewables have nudged the market in favour of wind, solar, and other green technologies. On top of that, technologies like offshore wind has seen costs plummet, making it cheaper than both new gas and coal plants.
The Role of Air Source Heat Pumps in a Greener Energy System
As the move toward more sustainable energy systems accelerates, air source heat pumps are becoming an essential part of the future of heating. As you can see from the chart below, heat pump installations have increased by 42% in the UK from 2023 to 2024.
Statistics showcasing 42% increase in heat pump installations.
Is a heat pump better than central heating?
Here are some of the main benefits ASHPs provide in terms of sustainability and efficiency:
Lower Emissions - Since ASHPs run on electricity, and the grid is getting greener every year, using a heat pump instead of a gas boiler can drastically cut carbon emissions. With the UK grid now drawing more than 50% of its power from renewables, homes equipped with heat pumps are essentially being heated with low-carbon energy.
Cleaner Air - Switching from gas boilers to heat pumps doesn’t just reduce carbon emissions; it also cuts out pollutants like nitrogen oxides that gas boilers produce. This makes them a great option for improving local air quality, especially in urban areas where air pollution is a growing concern.
Energy Efficiency - ASHPs are highly efficient. As engineers, you know how important system efficiency is. Air source heat pumps can be up to three times more efficient than conventional heating systems, meaning less energy is required to achieve the same level of heat. That can translate to lower energy bills for the end-user, which is something every customer will appreciate.
Integration with Renewables - Heat pumps are perfect for homes looking to embrace renewable energy fully. Whether paired with solar panels, battery storage systems, or demand-side management technologies, they’re the best solution for future-proofing homes as part of a smart, low-carbon energy system.
As with any technology, heat pumps come with some challenges, particularly when it comes to retrofitting in older homes. Many UK homes were built for gas boilers and radiators, not low-temperature systems like heat pumps. This means they often need extra work to improve insulation or upgrade radiators to make the most of the heat pump’s efficiency.
However, government initiatives like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme are helping to make the transitions more affordable, and the technology is improving year by year. For heating engineers, learning how to properly install heat pumps is becoming an essential skill as customer demand grows.
What Does This Mean for Heating Engineers?
The closure of the UK's last coal power station is a sign of things to come: fossil fuels are on their way out, and the shift to renewables is happening fast. For heating and plumbing engineers, this means the systems you install will more need to align with a low-carbon future. Air source heat pumps will be central to this transformation.
Heat pump training course
As the demand for heat pumps continues to rise, staying ahead of the curve is essential. To support this, we’re offering free heat pump training that will equip you with the skills needed to install a variety of top brands, including Samsung, Mitsubishi, and Bosch. Whether you prefer hands-on or online training, our half-day course is designed for engineers looking to upskill in the growing heat pump market. Sign up today to secure your place.
Our MCS Umbrella Scheme
Additionally, if you want to install MCS compliant heat pumps and help your customers access funding like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, our Alto Assured MCS Umbrella Scheme is the perfect solution. We’ll handle all the MCS paperwork and compliance for you, and our expert team will also design, supply, and commission the system, so you can focus entirely on the installation. Join by completing an online enquiry form or calling us today!
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