Archives: Press Release

Drax Gives Over $681K to Canadian Communities in 2024

26 March 2025

News

Drax Foundation, the charitable entity of renewable energy company Drax Group, has given over $681K to communities across Canada in 2024. This marks a meaningful increase in charitable giving to support and develop STEM education, grassroots initiatives, and create a positive impact for the climate, nature, and people.   

“Drax is committed to being a good and respectful neighbour in our operating communities and beyond,” said Liezl van Wyk, VP of Northern Operations for Drax. “The Drax Foundation and Community Fund build on and back the work our operations employees do every day to support strong, vibrant communities for a net zero future.”

Read the Drax Foundation Annual Review here.

In Canada, the Drax Foundation contributed over $480,000 to communities, in addition to the over $200,000 coming from the Community Fund. Scientists in Schools, a STEM education organization which aims to encourage children to connect scientific knowledge to their world and increase interest in careers in STEM subjects. The funding helped provide over 500 children with access to STEM learning in British Colombia and Alberta. 

“Drax Foundation support has been a catalyst for our evolution as a national charity shaping the STEM skills and futures of over 350,000 youth annually,” said Cindy Adams, Executive Director, Scientists in School. “This funding has enhanced our ability to reach children and youth in rural and under-served communities in British Columbia and Alberta, with a lasting impact on increasing STEM interest and confidence, giving young scientists the opportunity to develop lifelong skills.” 

Donations from the fund have also been given to other essential organizations in Canada like the Smithers Secondary School Grub Hub Lunch Program, as well as youth programs, education and employment organizations, physical and mental health charities, community spaces, food banks and organizations that strengthen the communities where Drax operates. 

“Building stronger communities in the areas where Drax operates is the driving force behind our social purpose,” said Miguel Veiga-Pestana, Drax Group Chief Sustainability Officer. “Through our charitable giving, we’re empowering individuals with the skills and resources they need to thrive, while also making a tangible contribution to a sustainable future.” 

To learn more about the Drax Foundation and Community Fund, visit our community page..  

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Contact Information: 

Caroline Bleay 
Communications Manager, Canada
780-502-1571
caroline.bleay@drax.com  

About Drax  

Drax Group’s purpose is to enable a zero carbon, lower cost energy future and in 2019 announced a world-leading ambition to be carbon negative by 2040, using bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) technology.  

Drax’s around 3,000 employees operate across three principal areas of activity – electricity generation, electricity sales to business customers and compressed wood pellet production and supply to third parties. For more information visit www.drax.com/ca/  

Pellet production and supply:

The Group has 18 operational pellet plants and developments with nameplate production capacity of around five million tons a year. 

The pellets are produced using materials sourced from sustainably managed working forests and are supplied to third party customers in Europe and Asia for the generation of renewable power.  

Drax’s pellet plants also supply biomass used at its own power station in North Yorkshire, England to generate flexible, renewable power for the UK’s homes and businesses. 

Drax Launches New Sustainability Framework

26 February 2025

News

Renewable energy company Drax Group has launched a new corporate sustainability framework. The sustainability framework encompasses 26 time-bound targets grouped under three pillars: climate, nature, and people; laying out the actions Drax is taking on sustainability across its business operations. 

“Our new sustainability framework signals a significant change in the way Drax manages its impact on the environment, communities and nature,” said Miguel Veiga-Pestana, Drax Group Chief Sustainability Officer. “Throughout the process we have listened to and learned much from the wide variety of stakeholders who have helped us develop this plan, which will be key to helping to ensure Drax can provide renewable biomass power generation as sustainably and responsibly as possible for years to come.”  

The sustainability framework means reaching net zero by the end of 2040 across the value chain, supporting biodiversity across Drax sites by the end of 2030, seeking to make a positive contribution to the lives and livelihoods of Drax employees, communities, and workers in the supply chain, and transparency around sustainable biomass sourcing. A key to the framework is the biomass sourcing policy, which tightens Drax’s already rigorous sourcing policy to keep pace with evolving science and rising industry standards and governs all the biomass Drax handles.  

To be climate positive, Drax’s aim is to have a net positive impact on the climate by reducing emissions to net zero, source biomass only from well-managed forest, and removing carbon for good. Under the nature positive pillar, Drax is committed to not only protecting nature, but actively enhancing it by avoiding negative impact and delivering positive impact. Lastly, the fundamental value of the people positive pillar believes that energy transition can and should benefit everyone. This is done through building an inclusive workplace, promoting fundamental rights, and partnering with communities.   

The sustainability framework is the result of listening to critics, engaging with experts, reviewing previous successes, and looking back at Drax’s setbacks, all with the goal of ensuring we are on the right path.  

To learn more about Drax’s corporate sustainability framework, visit Our Approach – Drax Global.  

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Contact Information: 

Caroline Bleay 
Communications Manager, Canada
780-502-1571
caroline.bleay@drax.com

About Drax

Drax Group’s purpose is to enable a zero carbon, lower cost energy future and in 2019 announced a world-leading ambition to be carbon negative by 2030, using bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) technology.

Drax’s around 3,000 employees operate across three principal areas of activity – electricity generation, electricity sales to business customers and compressed wood pellet production and supply to third parties. For more information visit www.drax.com/ca/

Pellet production and supply:

The Group has 18 operational pellet plants and developments with nameplate production capacity of around five million tons a year.

Drax is targeting eight million tons of production capacity by 2030, which will require the development of over three million tons of new biomass pellet production capacity. The pellets are produced using materials sourced from sustainably managed working forests and are supplied to third party customers in Europe and Asia for the generation of renewable power.

Drax’s pellet plants supply biomass used at its own power station in North Yorkshire, England to generate flexible, renewable power for the UK’s homes and businesses, and also to customers in Europe and Asia.

 

Drax receives Top Employer award for 2025

11 February 2025

News

Renewable energy company Drax has been named one of ‘BC’s Top Employers’ for 2025. This year marks the 25th anniversary of ‘Canada’s Top 100 Employers’. With a competitive group of applicants every year, Drax is proud of this achievement as it recognizes the company as a leader in the industry and an exceptional place to work.  

Each year, Canada’s Top 100 Employers reviews the initiatives employers across the country have put in place to support their employees. Amongst other reasons, Drax was selected as a top employer for its annual awards program that leaders can nominate employees for, the company’s maternity leave and fertility coverage policies, as well as their vacation allowance for salaried employees.

“British Columbia has always been one of the most progressive regions in the country in terms of benefits, flexibility and forward-thinking environmental policies — and this year’s winners are no exception,” says Richard Yerema, executive editor of the Canada’s Top 100 Employers project. “The province is home to many fearless, progressive organizations that are not afraid to push the boundaries and stand out from the crowd in a way that attracts new employees from across BC and throughout Canada.” 

Employers are evaluated by the editors of Canada’s Top 100 Employers on eight criteria including:  

  • Workplace 
  • Work Atmosphere & Social 
  • Health, Financial & Family Benefits 
  • Vacation & Time Off 
  • Employee Communications 
  • Performance Management 
  • Training & Skills Development 
  • Community Involvement 

This award solidifies Drax’s commitment to being a People Positive, Climate Positive, and Nature Positive employer.   

“It’s exciting news to be named one of BC’s Top Employers,” said Jamie Eck, HR Director for Canada. “Our People Promise is clear – together, we make it happen – and this recognition would not have been possible without our colleagues and their hard work and dedication to making Drax a great place to work. We hope that all colleagues celebrate in this achievement because it would not have been possible without them.” 

To learn more about why Drax was selected, visit https://content.eluta.ca/top-employer-drax-group-canada. Information on the national Top Employer awards can be found at Canada’s Top 100 Employers, and BC’s Top Employers (2025) to see the list of all Top Employers in BC.  

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Contact Information: 

Caroline Bleay 
Communications Manager, Canada
780-502-1571
caroline.bleay@drax.com  

About Drax  

Drax Group’s purpose is to enable a zero carbon, lower cost energy future and in 2019 announced a world-leading ambition to be carbon negative by 2030, using bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) technology.  

Drax’s around 3,000 employees operate across three principal areas of activity – electricity generation, electricity sales to business customers and compressed wood pellet production and supply to third parties. For more information visit www.drax.com/ca/  

Pellet production and supply:

The Group has 18 operational pellet plants and developments with nameplate production capacity of around five million tons a year. 

Drax is targeting eight million tons of production capacity by 2030, which will require the development of over three million tons of new biomass pellet production capacity. The pellets are produced using materials sourced from sustainably managed working forests and are supplied to third party customers in Europe and Asia for the generation of renewable power.  

Drax’s pellet plants supply biomass used at its own power station in North Yorkshire, England to generate flexible, renewable power for the UK’s homes and businesses, and also to customers in Europe and Asia. 

Drax donation provides ‘wildly immersive’ nature experience to many

31 January 2025

News

Renewable energy company Drax has donated $96,000 to UBC Forestry’s Wild & Immersive (W&I) program. The donation, given through the Drax Foundation, will continue the strong environmental and educational work UBC Forestry’s program already provides in the community.  

Located in both Williams Lake and Maple Ridge, the Wild & Immersive program increases recreational opportunities for the community as well as financial bursaries allowing equal access to those interested in their programming. 

“UBC Forestry’s Wild & Immersive (W&I) program is grateful to receive support from the Drax Foundation for the second consecutive year,” said Mark Gill, Wild & Immersive Education Program Supervisor, Alex Fraser Research Forest (AFRF). “This year’s grant will help develop a new publicly accessible trail and dock at AFRF, as well as continue supporting the bursary fund allowing for widespread participation in our programming.”  

The Drax Foundation donated over $480,000 in 2024. Organizations supporting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education, green skills training, nature-based education, and community green spaces, received grant funding to enhance their communities.  

“This year’s grant will support the redevelopment of nature and community greenspaces for the W&I program at the Malcolm Knapp Research Forest (MKRF) in Maple Ridge, creating more opportunities for W&I participants and the local community to learn, recreate, and explore,” said Hélène Marcoux, Manager of MKRF. “The grant will fund new interpretive signage in the arboretum, trail maintenance, and the addition of 10 physical challenge stations on the Wilderness Adventure Loop, featuring wildlife-related activities for children.”

The Drax Foundation provides grant funding for non-profit organizations that share our commitment to improving equitable access to STEM education, nature and community green spaces, and measures that improve energy.  

“Drax values the ability to contribute and support the communities we live, and operate in,” said Sandy Sung, Drax’s Canadian Community Manager. “We look forward to seeing the benefits of this grant funding in the communities and the advancement of outdoor education and recreation in Williams Lake and Maple Ridge.” said Sung. 

To learn more about the Drax Foundation and Drax’s community efforts, visit Our communities – Drax Canada or contact drax.foundation@drax.com for additional information. 

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Contact Information: 

Caroline Bleay 
Communications Manager, Canada
780-502-1571
caroline.bleay@drax.com  

About Drax  

Drax Group’s purpose is to enable a zero carbon, lower cost energy future and in 2019 announced a world-leading ambition to be carbon negative by 2030, using bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) technology.  

Drax’s around 3,000 employees operate across three principal areas of activity – electricity generation, electricity sales to business customers and compressed wood pellet production and supply to third parties. For more information visit www.drax.com/ca/  

Pellet production and supply:

The Group has 18 operational pellet plants and developments with nameplate production capacity of around five million tons a year. 

Drax is targeting eight million tons of production capacity by 2030, which will require the development of over three million tons of new biomass pellet production capacity. The pellets are produced using materials sourced from sustainably managed working forests and are supplied to third party customers in Europe and Asia for the generation of renewable power.  

Drax’s pellet plants supply biomass used at its own power station in North Yorkshire, England to generate flexible, renewable power for the UK’s homes and businesses, and also to customers in Europe and Asia. 

Drax donates $65,000 to Canadian food banks

17 December 2024

News

Renewable energy company Drax has donated $65,000 to twelve food banks across British Columbia and Alberta through the company’s dedicated Community Fund. 

The food banks receiving this support serve communities close to Drax sites in Canada, the USA and the UK, providing essential support to people who are struggling with the cost of living. 

“Its donations and support from community members and businesses such as yours that make it possible for the food bank to run throughout the year working hard to support our community members who need us” said Jennifer Palmer-Ciccone, Armstrong Food Bank’s Manager. 

Drax’s Community Fund has awarded over $821,000 in donations in 2024, including more than $100,000 to foodbanks across the world. Closer to home, the team at Drax’s Lavington operation helped to stock up the foodbank during the Emergency Services Food Drive in Lumby and Lavington. 

“Drax continues to be committed to supporting the communities we live, and operate in. We believe it’s important to show our appreciation to our communities, especially during the holiday season,” said Sandy Sung, Drax’s Canadian Community Manager. “We hope these donations help local food banks in British Columbia and Alberta support the higher than ever demand they are currently experiencing due to the increased cost of living.” said Sung. 

Local food banks receiving funding this holiday season are the Armstrong Food Bank (Boys and Girls Club Okanagan), the Lake District Family Enhancement Society, the WEE Community Food Bank, High Level Native Friendship Centre, the Salvation Army Bulkley Valley, Lumby Food Bank, Nourish Food Bank (Quesnel), the Salvation Army Prince George, Princeton Food Bank, Greater Vancouver Food Bank, the Salvation Army Prince Rupert, and the Salvation Army Williams Lake.  

In Canada, donations from the fund have also been given to other essential organizations like the Smithers School Lunch Program, as well as youth programs, education and employment organizations, physical and mental health charities, community spaces and organizations that strengthen the communities where Drax operates. 

To learn more about Drax’s corporate giving, https://www.drax.com/ca/about-us/our-communities/ or contact communityandcharity@drax.com for additional information. 

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Photo caption 1: The Salvation Army team at Prince George collecting their donations last year.

Contact Information: 

Caroline Bleay 
Communications Manager, Canada
780-502-1571
caroline.bleay@drax.com  

About Drax  

Drax Group’s purpose is to enable a zero carbon, lower cost energy future and in 2019 announced a world-leading ambition to be carbon negative by 2030, using bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) technology.  

Drax’s around 3,000 employees operate across three principal areas of activity – electricity generation, electricity sales to business customers and compressed wood pellet production and supply to third parties. For more information visit www.drax.com/ca/  

Pellet production and supply:

The Group has 18 operational pellet plants and developments with nameplate production capacity of around five million tons a year. 

Drax is targeting eight million tons of production capacity by 2030, which will require the development of over three million tons of new biomass pellet production capacity. The pellets are produced using materials sourced from sustainably managed working forests and are supplied to third party customers in Europe and Asia for the generation of renewable power.  

Drax’s pellet plants supply biomass used at its own power station in North Yorkshire, England to generate flexible, renewable power for the UK’s homes and businesses, and also to customers in Europe and Asia. 

Drax inspires future female engineers at Science World’s Girls and STEAM Summit

12 December 2024

News

Drax proudly sponsored and participated in Science World’s “Girls and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) Summit,” which took place in Vancouver on November 2, 2024. 

“Girls and STEAM”, an annual event hosted by Science World, inspires girls aged 12–14 to discover and pursue their interests in STEAM while learning from professional female mentors working in STEAM careers. 

This year, more than 300 girls participated in the event and a series of activities designed to help them identify and build on their interests in STEAM fields. Activities included a keynote by deep-sea scientist and speaker Moronke Harris, hands-on workshops, and an interactive mentorship session. Throughout the day, participants learned about the backgrounds, interests, education, and professional career paths of their STEAM mentors.   

“Attendees learned about the different fibre mix that goes into making Drax pellets and then matched the correct name and definition to the right fibre type,” said Sandy Sung, Drax Community Manager. The hands-on activity showed them that STEAM can take all shapes and forms in industry. 

Drax’s sponsorship at the event was provided through the Drax Community Fund. The Community Fund provides smaller donations of up to CA$10,000 to local community projects and initiatives. Focus areas for the Community Fund include STEM education and skills development, as well as enhancing biodiversity and green spaces in local communities.

“Science World is proud to partner with businesses and organizations in our community to bring STEAM education to young people,” said Issy Worrall, Manager, Public Programs and Engagement at Science World. “Having our partners participate in events such as the ‘Girls and STEAM Summit’ allows us to help showcase the broad opportunities of STEAM in industry and beyond.” 

“Sharing my experience as an engineer, and what that means for my job at Drax was really rewarding,” said Evangeline Saclamacis, Drax’s Carbon Reduction Engineer, who participated in the mentor roundtables. The girls visited our public showcase to learn more about what we do at Drax, and it was an opportunity to educate the next generation of engineers on how sustainable biomass can be used to create energy.” 

Contact Information:  

Caroline Bleay
Communications Manager, Canada 
780-502-1571
mediacanada@drax.com  

About Drax   

Drax Group’s purpose is to enable a zero carbon, lower cost energy future and in 2019 announced a world-leading ambition to be carbon negative by 2030, using bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) technology. Drax’s around 3,000 employees operate across three principal areas of activity – electricity generation, electricity sales to business customers and compressed wood pellet production and supply to third parties. For more information, visit http://www.drax.com/ca  

Introducing Elimini: New carbon removal leader launches at New York Climate Week

24 September 2024

News
  • Elimini has launched at New York Climate Week with ambition to deliver carbon removals at megaton scale and 24/7 renewable power
  • US-based company group has entered into 11 carbon dioxide removal deals with eight companies, two fiber option agreements, the establishment of an esteemed Advisory Council, and the creation of four knowledge collaborations to advance research and understanding in carbon dioxide removal technologies
  • More than 20 potential bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) sites under review in North America alone for potential BECCS facilities, with additional projects under consideration in six more countries
  • New independent research reveals 74 percent of Americans are concerned about climate change, with only 37 percent believing the government is doing enough to support the development of carbon removal technologies

Elimini, a new US-based business with an ambition to be a leader in carbon removals, has today been launched at Climate Week NYC. The company is dedicated to permanently removing carbon from the atmosphere while generating renewable, 24/7 power.

By advancing bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) in the United States and beyond, the new company will help meet soaring demand for both 24/7 renewable energy and high-integrity carbon removals. Nearly all realistic pathways to limit global warming to 1.5C and 2C require developing and deploying carbon removal technology at gigaton scale and tripling renewable energy capacity. Elimini will pair 24/7 renewable energy production with carbon capture technology through BECCS – the only technology that currently supports the delivery of both targets simultaneously.

The business has been launched as new research finds that 74 percent of Americans are concerned about climate change, with 56 percent believing the government should be doing more to support the development of carbon removal technologies – and for those already familiar with these technologies, that number jumps to 72 percent, suggesting that familiarity directly drives increased favorability.

Elimini’s purpose is to remove carbon for good. To achieve this, it is convening engineers, environmentalists, communities, investors, and innovators to scale the market for carbon removals, with the aspiration of transforming our economies from carbon emitters to carbon removers. As an independently operated, wholly owned subsidiary within Drax Group, Elimini will also sell carbon removals generated at Drax Power Station, which conducted the first BECCS pilot of its kind in Europe and with the right government support will convert that facility to BECCS.

Will Gardiner, Elimini Executive Chair and Drax Group CEO said: “Carbon removals are desperately needed to reverse the legacy emissions warming our planet – and that industry represents more than a $1 trillion opportunity once it reaches gigaton scale. Elimini will have the focus and agility needed to become a leader in the maturing carbon market, rapidly advancing high-quality carbon removals and renewable energy production at global scale.”

Today, Elimini announced the following:

Investment from first-mover climate leaders

Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) offtake agreements with:

And the conversion of two previous MOUs with C-Zero Markets to offtakes with Elimini.

Plus, brokerage agreements with:

An Advisory Council formed of experts from across the carbon removals value chain

Established to help Elimini shape the company’s strategy and hold it true to its purpose and values. Comprised of experts with diverse backgrounds who share our commitment to removing carbon for good:

  • David Hill, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the New York Independent System Operator and Senior Research Scholar at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy. Previously, he was Executive Vice President & General Counsel of NRG Energy and served as the US Department of Energy General Counsel.
  • Miranda Ballentine, former Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Installations, Environment, and Energy) and Founding CEO of the Clean Energy Buyers Association; currently serving as Senior Advisor at Green Strategies, and as a Board Member and Independent Practitioner to clean energy organizations.
  • Melissa Lott, Professor, Climate School, Columbia University.
  • Freddie Davis, Director of the Rural Training and Research Center at the Federation of Southern Cooperatives.
  • Rajiv S. Joshi, Founder of Bridging Ventures and former Executive Director of the Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP), the world’s largest civil society alliance, launched by Nelson Mandela, working to end poverty and inequality.

Knowledge collaborations

We’ partnering with innovative institutions to push the boundaries of carbon capture technology, including:

Biomass supply partners

Manulife Investment Management and Molpus Woodlands have signed options to provide sustainably sourced woody biomass to fuel Elimini’s BECCS operations in the US Southeast.

The Forest Landowners Assistance Program

Elimini will launch a new program for local, family-owned, or underserved landowners to receive assistance with managing their forests and providing feedstocks for BECCS facilities that will meet Elimini’s high sustainability standards.

The selection of its Owner’s Engineer to support the development of its first BECCS facility in the US 

Elimini has selected engineering firm Sargent & Lundy as the owner’s engineer to support with the development of a BECCS project in the United States. Full scale development is underway at our most advanced site for our first greenfield BECCS project.

Once fully operational, the 300-megawatt generation project will produce two terawatt hours of renewable energy while capturing 3Mt of CO2 annually – the equivalent of the average annual emissions of 100 commercial airliners.

Laurie Fitzmaurice, Elimini President said: “Elimini is entering the market at a critical time for our planet and the global economy, when unprecedented demand for power threatens to extend the world’s dependence on coal and other fossil fuels. By advancing BECCS and other carbon removal technologies in the United States and beyond, we will provide organizations and governments with realistic alternatives to power their communities and businesses while staying on track to achieve their climate commitments.”

David Hill, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the New York Independent System Operator and Senior Research Scholar at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy said, “Elimini’s stated purpose is to remove carbon for good. As a member of the Advisory Council, I look forward to working with the company as it seeks to address some very interesting and exciting opportunities.”

“Solving climate change will require many technologies, including a critical set of net-zero and net-negative power plants that are needed to supply the global economy with reliable, affordable, and clean electricity,” said Dr. Melissa Lott, Professor, Climate School, Columbia University. “It is exciting to see Elimini step fully into this space at this critical time in global efforts to deploy technologies at the speed and scale that is needed to reduce emissions and protect the health of our communities.”

Walid Rechache, Co-Founder and CEO at Holborn Trading said, “We are excited and proud to support Elimini on their carbon removal initiative. Holborn Trading is invested because we believe in securing a sustainable future. By supporting innovative solutions like decarbonization technologies and projects including carbon dioxide removal, we’re not just offsetting emissions – we’re actively restoring the balance of our planet’s atmosphere, ensuring a healthier environment for generations to come.”

Read more about our new company, team, and the latest research here.

New report finds Drax contributes $1 Billion to Canadian economy

16 September 2024

News

A new economic analysis conducted by MNP, one of Canada’s leading professional services and research firms, has found that Drax Group contributed $1 billion towards the Canadian economy and supported more than 3,000 jobs in 2023.  

The study measured the economic impact of Drax’s Canadian operations, which includes 10 pellet plants across British Columbia and Alberta, producing sustainable biomass wood pellets to generate renewable power in the UK and Asia. 

“We take pride in the longstanding role we play in making Canada a renewable energy leader and we are grateful for the many employees, both our own and across our supply chain, for their dedication to building a strong clean energy workforce in communities across Canada,” said Liezl van Wyk, Drax’s Vice President of Northern Operations.  

The report also showed Drax’s commitment to sourcing from local suppliers by purchasing nearly 75% of its goods and services from those based within the respective province of their operations, which further supports local jobs and economies. Of the purchases made from suppliers outside of the province, over 90% are from Canadian businesses. 

“Canada has built a robust economy through smart policies supporting domestic production of renewable energy. We will continue to find new and innovative ways to further our sustainability efforts for the benefit of Canada’s natural resources,” said van Wyk. 

The total employment supported by Drax’s operations (3,101 jobs) is approximately equivalent to the employment supported by the construction of 1,447 new homes in Canada. 

Thousands of jobs are supported by Drax’s activities across Canada in a wide range of sectors including high-skilled manufacturing of industrial components, engineering and technical machinery and transportation, many of which are in rural communities​. 

For example, in the Entwistle and Burns Lake communities where Drax’s pellet plants are located, Drax provides 26% and 18% of their total employment income. 

“We commend the workers, policymakers and other stakeholders who help ensure energy security and economic growth, particularly during times of international instability,” said van Wyk. 

Companies such as local sawmills rely on Drax to purchase their residuals and by-products. The use of these materials by Drax also keeps them out of landfills and off forest floors, where they can become fuel for wildfires. The timber, forest and furniture industries, among many others, have been key collaborators in sourcing residuals and waste products for beneficial reuse by Drax. 

“Our research demonstrates the economic impact that Drax Group has made to the Canadian economy, with their operations in Canada generating $372 million in GDP in 2023,” said Susan Mowbray, Partner at MNP. “We also found that the economic activity generated by Drax’s pellet plants, port terminals and corporate offices, has a positive impact on local communities across Canada.” 

To view an executive summary and other highlights from the report, visit drax.com/ca/impact. 

Contact Information:  

Megan Hopgood
Communications Specialist, Canada 
778-871-4738
megan.hopgood@drax.com  

About Drax   

Drax Group’s purpose is to enable a zero carbon, lower cost energy future and in 2019 announced a world-leading ambition to be carbon negative by 2030, using bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) technology. Drax’s around 3,000 employees operate across three principal areas of activity – electricity generation, electricity sales to business customers and compressed wood pellet production and supply to third parties. For more information, visit http://www.drax.com/ca 

About MNP   

National in scope and local in focus, MNP is one of Canada’s leading professional services firms — proudly serving individuals, businesses, and organizations since 1958. Through the development of strong relationships, MNP provides client-focused accounting, consulting, tax, and digital services. MNP’s clients benefit from personalized strategies with a local perspective to fuel success wherever business takes them. For more information, visit www.mnp.ca.  

Drax Donates $260,000 to Canadian Organizations Focused on Supporting STEM Education

19 June 2024

Press releases

Renewable energy company Drax has announced that three Canadian non-profits will receive $260,000 through the fourth round of donations from the Drax Foundation. The latest round of funding will go to programs that promote STEM education, reaching over 3,000 children and adults and prioritizing underserved groups, which include The MindFuel Foundation, Scientists in School and The Exploration Place.  

“These organizations invigorate the communities they work in and have lasting impacts on the people and areas they serve,” said Sandy Sung, Community Manager for Drax Canada. “We are guided by the needs and expertise of our non-profit partners, and that’s why we prioritize funding for some of their harder-to-fundraise for areas of work.” 

All three non-profits work to better their communities through targeted programing, education, and supporting Indigenous communities in and around the areas where Drax has operations. 

MindFuel, which will receive $80,000, works to increase STEM skills in BC and Alberta schools with a focus on reaching indigenous youth in rural areas.  

“I’d like to thank the Drax Foundation for its generous support for STEM education and innovation and advancing equity and access to related programming, which resonates with MindFuel’s mission,” said Cassy Weber, CEO at the MindFuel Foundation. “In our recent 10-year study regarding youth innovation programming, we learned that 67% of respondents have created or been part of a team that has created an innovation in their professional career, and, critically, 75% attribute participation in a MindFuel program as key to their success.” 

“This partnership with Drax will help us engage more rural and Indigenous youth and significantly strengthen our combined work in building a future that’s inclusive,” said Weber. 

Scientists in Schools

Scientists in School, which will receive $100,000, also aims to improve access to STEM education for underserved populations in BC and Alberta.  

“I would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the Drax Foundation and their support which is a catalyst for Scientists in School’s evolution as a national charity shaping the STEM skills and futures of over 350,000 youth annually,” said Cindy Adams, Executive Director at Scientists in School. “The Drax Foundation has significantly enhanced our ability to reach children and youth in rural or otherwise under-served communities in BC and Alberta and enabled us to leverage this growth so we can reach thousands more in the coming years.” 

 “Together, we are building a strong foundation in science education for children across Canada, vital for Canada’s strength in research and innovation, and we are grateful to the Drax Foundation for being a part of our mission to ignite children’s curiosity about the world around them,” said Adams. 

The Exploration Space

The Exploration Space will receive $80,000 to fund their STEM program in Northern BC, reaching First Nations children and other rural communities.  

“Thanks to the generous support of the Drax Foundation in 2023, we were able to offer free school programs to over 6,000 students across Northern BC. With continued funding in 2024, we can expand this initiative, further increasing accessibility to STEAM education for students from Kindergarten through Grade 12,” said Robyn Curtis, VP Development and Partnerships at The Exploration Place. 

“This support is essential in breaking down financial and travel barriers, ensuring that all students in our region have access to high-quality, hands-on learning experiences. Our goal is to inspire and equip the next generation with the skills needed to navigate and thrive in an ever-evolving world, and funding from the Drax Foundation is key to helping us achieve this goal,” said Curtis.

Launched in March 2023, the Drax Foundation funds initiatives that support education and skills development in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), as well as those that improve green spaces, enhance biodiversity and support Indigenous communities within the communities Drax operations. To learn more about the Drax Foundation and community projects that Drax has previously funded, visit https://www.drax.com/ca/news/.   

Previous organizations that have received funds from the Drax Foundation include Actua, the Nature Trust of BC and SCWIST.    

Contact Information:  

Megan Hopgood
Communications Specialist, Canada 
778-871-4738
megan.hopgood@drax.com  

About Drax   

Drax Group’s purpose is to enable a zero carbon, lower cost energy future and in 2019 announced a world-leading ambition to be carbon negative by 2030, using bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) technology.  Drax’s around 3,000 employees operate across three principal areas of activity – electricity generation, electricity sales to business customers and compressed wood pellet production and supply to third parties. For more information, visit https://www.drax.com/ca 

Pellet production and supply

The Group has 18 operational pellet plants and developments with nameplate production capacity of around five million tons a year. Drax is targeting eight million tons of production capacity by 2030, which will require the development of over three million tons of new biomass pellet production capacity. The pellets are produced using materials sourced from sustainably managed working forests and are supplied to third party customers in Europe and Asia for the generation of renewable power.   

Drax’s pellet plants supply biomass used at its own power station in North Yorkshire, England to generate flexible, renewable power for the UK’s homes and businesses, and also to customers in Europe and Asia.