Drax

Drax has said the government’s decision to continue supporting biomass technologies means it will convert a fourth unit at its power plant from coal to wood chip-fired generation. The energy giant had feared government proposals to cap levels of support available through the Renewables Obligation Certificate (ROC) scheme could scupper its expansion plans. The firm […]

The Drax Power Station helps generate £1.7 billion for the UK economy and supports more than 18,500 jobs each year. In a study of the biomass and coal-fired plant’s impacts, researchers at Oxford Economics found this contribution increased by 34% year-on-year following the firm’s acquisition of corporate power supplier Opus Energy. The facility, which provides […]

The head of Drax Group is to step down at the end of the year. Dorothy Thompson, who has been in charge for 12 years, will be replaced by the company’s current Chief Financial Officer Will Gardiner. He will take over from 1st January 2018. Drax recently announced plans for a gas plant and battery […]

Drax has applied to convert two of its remaining coal-fired units to gas and build a battery storage plant in the UK. It plans to create up to 3.6GW of new gas generation capacity and 200MW of battery storage. The energy company said the upgrade would enhance Drax Power Station’s flexible and responsive capability. However, […]

The UK had the largest number of facilities releasing air and water pollution in Europe in 2015. According to the European Environment Agency, the UK had 14 facilities, followed by Germany with 7 and France and Poland with 5 each. Its analysis is based on latest data available for 2015, covering 35,000 facilities across Europe, […]

Campaigners have today held three simultaenous protests against the Drax power plant. The demonstrations in London, Liverpool and York aim to highlight the facility’s involvement in fossil fuel generation and deforestation. Activists disagree with its continued reliance on government subsidies, which they say should instead be used to support energy conservation and environmentally friendly renewable […]

The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has appointed a new member to strengthen its business expertise. Dr. Rebecca Heaton, who will also remain in her existing position as the Head of Sustainability and Policy at Drax in Yorkshire, has been appointed for a five-year term. She said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to […]

The Drax power plant group has announced plans to buy two US wood pellet manufacturers. The North Yorkshire power station, which incorporates biomass into its feedstock, aims to acquire Texas Pellets and Louisiana Pellets, both of which are currently going through bankruptcy processes. Drax has previously indicated its intention to expand its own supply of compressed wood […]

A new record for renewable energy use was set on Christmas Day 2016 in the UK. According to power group Drax, more than 40% – or 12.4GW – of electricity generated on the festive day came from green sources, the highest ever. Wind contributed the most, generating on average 9.4GW – equivalent to 31% of […]

The EU Commission has approved the UK support for the conversion of one unit of the Drax power station from coal to biomass. The Commission said the plans complied with EU state aid rules as the project will support the region’s environmental and energy targets without distorting competition in the Single Market. Drax’s unit will have […]