Uniper has signed up Erith Group to carry out the demolition work at Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station, paving the way for the future redevelopment on the site.
Over the next four years, Erith will safely remove all Uniper structures on site, including the cooling towers. They will also remove all the associated waste products and leave the site flat and level.
Erith will mobilise on site in summer 2026, and will start the demolition work later in the year.
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, said: “Ratcliffe-on-Soar has played an important role in powering our country for generations, and this milestone marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the site and for our region. The appointment of a demolition contractor is an important step towards unlocking opportunities for investment, innovation, and regeneration.
“The former power station sits at the heart of the Trent Arc, one of the East Midlands’ key growth corridors, where we are bringing together clean energy, advanced manufacturing, digital technologies, and modern infrastructure to drive long-term prosperity.
“As the site transitions to new uses, we have a real opportunity to create high-quality jobs, attract new industries, and ensure that the benefits of investment are felt widely and sustainably for years to come.”
While the exact programme of work is yet to be set, it is anticipated that it could be around mid-2028 at the earliest for the main power station and turbine hall buildings to be demolished, and later for the chimney stack. It’s expected that the cooling towers will not be demolished before 2029, and in planning demolition they will work closely with local stakeholders such as National Rail, National Highways and East Midlands Airport.
The power station closed at the end of September 2024, and we have been undertaking decommissioning since that time to prepare the site for safe demolition.
Demolition will release large parts of the site for redevelopment.
Mike Lockett, Uniper UK Country Chair said: “We are extremely pleased to have brought Erith on board as our contractor for demolition. They are experts in their field and have a proven track record and we will work together to ensure a safe and compliant demolition. We know people are keen to see the redevelopment of the Ratcliffe site, and this is a significant step in that direction.”
Andy Dyson, Operations Director, Erith said: “Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station is a significant site, both in terms of its scale and its role in the UK’s energy history. The transition following the end of coal-fired generation marks an important stage in how legacy infrastructure is managed and sites are repurposed.
“Projects of this nature require specialist expertise to manage deconstructing complex assets safely and efficiently, and Erith are proud to support Uniper in delivering this phase.
“The demolition of Ratcliffe Power Station will be delivered through a controlled, safety-first methodology, with a focus on programme certainty and environmental compliance.
“Our approach combines proven large-scale power station demolition experience with detailed sequencing, active risk management and effective coordination. Working collaboratively with Uniper and the wider project team is central to this, ensuring the works are delivered safely, predictably and in line with surrounding operations and stakeholder requirements.”
The site has a Local Development Order (LDO) in place which was granted by Rushcliffe Borough Council in July 2023. This means the site has outline permission for future sustainable development including low-carbon energy production, a data centre, battery production, and energy storage. And a large section of the Ratcliffe site is part of the East Midlands Freeport, the UK’s only in-land Freeport. The council has recently approved an amendment to the LDO which allows for the development of a data centre on the south side of the site.
The Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station is a key site in the Trent Arc, one of the strategic growth areas in the East Midlands Vision for Growth. This transformational corridor connecting Derby and Nottingham has the potential to deliver more than 40,000 full-time jobs and boost the economy by £2.4bn per year.
Photo credit: Uniper
Published on: 4 June 2026
Categories: News, Economic Development, Net Zero