Erith picked for Ratcliffe-on-Soar demolition
Energy firm Uniper has signed terms with the contractor on a four-year programme to pave the way for the Nottinghamshire power station site’s redevelopment.
Erith has been instructed to safely remove all Uniper structures on site, including the landmark cooling towers, along with removing all associated waste products and leaving the site flat and level.
The demolition specialist will mobilise this summer and start on site later this year, although the major changes may take some time – it is expected to be 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 Uniper 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 Uniper has been undertaking decommissioning since that time to prepare the site for safe demolition.
Demolition will release large parts of the site for redevelopment.
The site has a local development order in place, granted by Rushcliffe Council in July 2023, securing outline permission for future sustainable development including low-carbon energy production, a data centre, battery production and energy storage.
In addition, a significant chunk of the Ratcliffe site is part of the East Midlands Freeport.
Mike Lockett, UK country chair for German energy group Uniper, 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.”
Düsseldorf-based Uniper is a European energy company with global reach and operations in more than 40 countries, employing more than 7,000 people. In its home market, Uniper supplies around 1,000 municipalities and industrial companies with energy and services.
In the UK, it owns and operates a flexible generation portfolio of six power stations, a fast-cycle gas storage facility, two high pressure gas pipelines, and regasification capacity at the Grain LNG terminal in Kent.
Andy Dyson, operations director at 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.”
Founded in 1967, Erith Contractors works across the UK & Europe, delivering asbestos removal, demolition, remediation, infrastructure, and construction projects across complex and constrained environments.
Erith’s capability spans the full demolition lifecycle, including asbestos removal, soft strip, deplanting, structural dismantling, explosive demolition, remediation, and site preparation for redevelopment.
