Delivering a memorable brand experience to mark the historic closure of the UK’s last coal-fired power plant.
We’re proud to deliver a standout event commemorating the historic closure of the UK’s last coal-fired power plant Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station – celebrating a huge milestone in the transition to clean energy. Uniper marked this momentous occasion by bringing together over 200 industry leaders, including the Minister for Energy, Michael Shanks MP, to honour the station’s 57-year legacy and its pivotal role in the UK’s energy journey. With just six weeks to transform an industrial space into a modern event venue, we pulled on all our expertise to create a seamless, immersive brand experience.
A complete transformation
The iconic power station’s cooling towers, that stand proudly on the outskirts of Nottingham at 114 metres tall, have been described as ‘concrete cathedrals’ by James Graham. We wanted to recreate these majestic monuments at the centre of the exhibit, so we designed and manufactured eight large, fabric light rings that appeared to float over the space adding extra drama for the visiting delegates.
We also installed over 140 metres of walling and graphics to completely reimagine the space. The industrial workshop was transformed into an exhibition hall showcasing the power station’s rich legacy and its positive impact on the local community for over 57 years.
Along with dynamic digital content, presentations and videos encapsulating decades of history, four key operational components from the power station were carefully curated. One of which was an enormous gas turbine weighing in at over three tonnes and measuring over 4.7 metres in length.
Alongside all this rich history, Uniper’s vision for the future of energy and the extensive proposal for the total redevelopment of the site were also showcased as part of this era-defining event.
Great work as always with the exhibition, well done team Michon.
Governance & Station Office Team Leader
Celebrating creativity and innovation
A bespoke gallery was created that celebrated the area’s industrial heritage through the stunning work of local artist and employee Roy Young.
Guests were further immersed in the experience with a full VR tour of the station’s facilities, offering a unique perspective on the scale and importance of the site.
Uniting legacy and future
The event was a fitting sign-off to 140 years of coal-fired generation in the UK. It underscored Uniper’s position as a leader in the UK’s energy transition, delivering a powerful brand message that ran through every element on the day.
Creating a lasting impression
We also provided clear and elegant wayfinding solutions and communications to ensure attendees were informed and got the most out of their day. Each guest also received a commemorative souvenir and a printed programme as a companion piece to the event narrative.
Delivered in record time, the event exemplified our ability to create high-impact brand experiences — from
the impactful, feature lighting to the curated gallery and graphics, the closure event left a lasting impression on attendees and reinforced Uniper’s commitment to sustainable energy and a low carbon future.
Just wanted to say thank you for the delivery of the exhibition – I have had a lot of positive feedback about it!
UK Communications manager