Uniper’s vision for the Ratcliffe site is to move towards becoming a zero carbon technology and energy hub for the East Midlands, supporting continued economic growth, and help meet the region’s decarbonisation goals.
These plans have the potential to create employment opportunities based around modern industrial and manufacturing uses. This could include sustainable onsite energy generation and a centre for innovation, bringing together industry and academia to help identify and develop the technologies, solutions and skills needed to help meet the UK’s Net Zero commitment.
In parallel with the successful Freeport bid, work is ongoing with regional stakeholders, including the East Midlands Development Corporation, to bring forward plans for the redevelopment of the site to drive inward investment. This could happen well ahead of the closure of the power station at the end of September 2024, after it has fulfilled its commitments under the capacity market, and in line with government policy to end coal-fired power generation.
The site benefits from:
- A 273-hectare redevelopment opportunity with the majority of this located within the Freeport tax site boundary.
- Excellent connectivity to East Midlands Airport, and to the wider UK national road and rail networks; including an existing site rail freight connection with proven capacity of over five million tonnes per year and East Midlands Parkway station adjacent to the site.
- Access to existing high capacity utilities infrastructure (power, heat and water) capable of supporting a range of intensive end uses, such as industrial and manufacturing processes, making the site suitable to accommodate a major Gigafactory development.