Drax Group

At Drax, we’re striving to help decarbonise the planet for generations to come, and we have a clear strategy to help us achieve it. 🌍 As many countries seek to decarbonise in a cost-effective manner, while protecting energy security and delivering a Just Transition, our purpose – to enable a zero carbon, lower cost energy future – is well aligned with these competing priorities. ⚡ Our ambition to be a global leader in sustainable biomass pellets and carbon removals, and to be a UK leader in dispatchable, renewable power will help ensure our global operations have a positive impact on the climate, nature and people. Together, we make it happen. 🌿 🤝

At Drax, we have a bold ambition and purpose and are collectively committed to making a tangible impact on the climate challenge we all face, while ensuring energy security and maximising benefit to society. 🌍 We asked our colleagues: What motivates you to be part of Drax? 🔎 From working towards a #NetZero future, to knowing we’re making a positive difference in our communities, our colleagues share their motivations. 💬 Together, we make it happen. 🤝

We recently welcomed almost 600 visitors to our Skylark Centre near Drax Power Station for our annual festive event. 🎄 Visitors enjoyed a variety of activities, including crafts, woodland trails and the opportunity to meet Santa Claus. 🎅 In total, our donation buckets raised nearly £600 for the Yorkshire Swan Hospital - a charity dedicated to the rescue, treatment and care of injured swans and wild animals. 🦢

In our last newsletter of 2024, we’re pleased to share some exciting updates from December ⚡️ Highlights include… ⬇️ 🌍 National Energy System Operator’s 2030 Clean Power Action Plan highlights the critical role of our #biomass and pumped storage hydro assets in maintaining UK energy security and delivering the UK Government’s 2030 clean power target. 🤝 We’re supporting those in need over the festive season by donating almost £60,000 via our #CommunityFund to food banks near our operations around the world. 🛬 We’ve agreed a deal with Pathway Energy to supply over 1 million tonnes of sustainable biomass pellets per annum for their sustainable aviation fuel (#SAF) project in Port Arthur, Texas. Find out more below, and don't forget to subscribe to stay updated with future editions. 🗞️

Cruachan Power Station plays an important role in both the UK’s energy system and its local community - promoting opportunity, growth and clean power. 🤝 The power station has been a part of the landscape for almost 60 years. With our ambitious plans to build a second underground pumped storage hydro plant at Cruachan, we will continue supporting our communities for generations to come, while protecting energy security and decarbonisation. 💡 🌍 In this video, the local community tell us what Cruachan Power Station means to them. 📺

🤝 Drax supports food banks near our sites over the festive season. ❄️ We’re delighted to share that the Drax #CommunityFund has donated nearly £60,000 to food banks near our operations in the UK, US and Canada. This provides vital assistance to individuals and families in need over the holiday period. 👥 Jane Breach, our UK Community & Education Manager said: “These donations are part of Drax’s ongoing commitment to making a difference to local communities in the areas we operate. Christmas can be an especially difficult time for many, and we hope these donations will help food banks meet the increased demand for their services and provide vital support to those in need.” 💬 Read more via the links in comments. 👇

In his recent article, our UK BECCS Programme Director, Richard Gwilliam, highlights the importance of #biomass and #BECCS in maintaining a stable energy system. 🗞️ The variability of Britain’s climate illustrates the need for a flexible electricity system to keep the lights on. But to achieve climate targets, it is essential that these sources are sustainable. ☀️ National Energy System Operator’s (#NESO) recent report acknowledges the important role sustainable biomass will play in achieving a clean power system by 2030. Its pathways also have at least one bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (#BECCS) unit online in 2030. 🌿 At Drax, we aim to install at least two units of BECCS at Drax Power Station, with the first operational in 2030 removing 4 million tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere per year. ⚡

Drax Group CEO, Will Gardiner, responds to the UK Government's Clean Power Action Plan.

⚡ UK gas plants have been hitting record levels, providing over 60% of the nation's electricity so far today. 💨 Low wind levels have led to increased reliance on dispatchable energy sources to maintain #energysecurity. This has also meant that #biomass is providing almost 10%. 🌿 It's clear that to achieve the UK’s clean power targets while keeping the lights on when the wind isn’t blowing and the sun isn't shining, we need dispatchable renewable power, such as from Drax Power Station.