Archives: Press Release

Doncaster engineering apprentice wins Drax award

30 October 2019

Press releases
Apprenticeships award evening 2019

Lewis Marran, aged 21 from Doncaster, was named Maintenance Apprentice of the Year (year 1) and was commended by the judges for his excellent attitude and keen desire to learn. His award win comes after he was named the Business Apprentice of the Year in 2017.

Having completed an 18-month apprenticeship in procurement at Drax, Lewis decided to move to his current role as a technical apprentice. Growing up in an engineering family, he decided to follow in the footsteps of his older brother who works as a craftsman at Drax.

Lewis, currently in his second year, said:

“Getting this award so early in my apprenticeship feels great. Working for a company with such ambitious plans and knowing that I’m a part of those plans – as well as working with such a great team is really exciting. I’m looking forward to what the rest of my apprenticeship and time at Drax holds.”

L-R: Mike Maudsley, Lewis Marran and Harry Gration

Mike Maudsley, Drax’s UK Portfolio Generation Director, said of the apprentice awards:

“Inspiring young people and supporting them in their early careers is essential for our business’ future. Each new cohort of apprentices brings enthusiasm and fresh ideas and we want to make sure we’re championing them.

“These awards come straight after Drax doubled the number of apprentices it hired in the space of just two years, reflecting our continued commitment to increasing education and skills across our region.”

The awards were presented by BBC Look North’s Harry Gration with 34 existing and 5 graduating apprentices attending the event along with their mentors and managers.

This year’s winners were:

  • Maintenance Apprentice of the Year 2019 Year 1 – Lewis Marran from Doncaster
  • Maintenance Apprentice of the Year 2019 Year 2 – Max Shaw from Gateforth
  • Maintenance Apprentice of the Year 2019 Year 4 – Josh O’Rourke from Goole
  • Business Apprentice of the Year 2019 and winner of the Paul Chambers Outstanding Achievement Award – Thomas Hughes from Goole
  • Uniper Engineering Academy Apprentice of the Year 2019 – Kai Lewis from Selby

Drax’s technical apprenticeship schemehelps new recruits gain skills and expertise by working alongside engineers who have helped transform the business into the largest decarbonisation project in Europe.

The Drax Technical Apprenticeship TrainingScheme is a four-year programme specialising in three engineering disciplines: Mechanical, Electrical and Control & Instrumentation engineering. Drax’s System Security Apprenticeship is a three-year, Level 3 Fire Emergency and Security Systems Apprenticeship, in conjunction with Lincoln College.

Drax also offers apprenticeships in business support areas, such as Finance and Business Administration. All opportunities are advertised on our website.

ENDS

View Selby awards press release.

View Goole awards press release.

Media contacts:

Ali Lewis
Drax Group Head of Media & PR
E: [email protected]
T: 07712670888

Joshua Atkins
Drax Group Press Officer
E: [email protected]
T: 07970256355

 Editor’s Notes

  • Drax has a longstanding commitment to STEM learning, with around 12,000 educational visits to the power station each year. These range from primary school pupils to degree level students, and all visits are tailored to the level of the visiting school, college or university.
  • It is also investing to help boost educational skills by working closely with local schools and colleges to encourage STEM learning.
  • In 2017 Drax welcomed six technical apprentices compared to nine in 2018, and 12 in 2019 with a further system security apprentice, demonstrating its commitment to retaining and developing a skilled workforce.
  • It has also launched a new apprenticeship scheme at its Scottish power generation sites which it is recruiting to now.
  • To find out more about working at Drax, go to https://www.drax.com/careers/

About Drax

Drax Group’s ambition is to enable a zero carbon, lower cost energy future. Its 2,600-strong staff operate across three principal areas of activity – electricity generation, electricity sales to business customers and compressed wood pellet production.

Power generation:

Drax owns and operates a portfolio of flexible, low carbon and renewable electricity generation assets across Britain. The assets include the UK’s largest power station, based at Selby, North Yorkshire, which supplies five percent of the country’s electricity needs.

Having converted two thirds of Drax Power Station to use sustainable biomass instead of coal it has become the UK’s biggest renewable power generator and the largest decarbonisation project in Europe.

Its pumped storage, hydro and energy from waste assets in Scotland include Cruachan Power Station – a flexible pumped storage facility within the hollowed-out mountain Ben Cruachan.  It also owns and operates four gas power stations in England.

Customers:  

Drax owns two B2B energy supply businesses:

  • Haven Power, based in Ipswich, supplies electricity and energy services to large Industrial and Commercial sector businesses.
  • Opus Energy, based in Oxford, Northampton and Cardiff, provides electricity, energy services and gas to small and medium sized (SME) businesses.


Pellet production:

Drax owns and operates three pellet mills in the US South which manufacture compressed wood pellets (biomass) produced from sustainably managed working forests. These pellet mills supply around 20% of the biomass used by Drax Power Station in North Yorkshire to generate flexible, renewable power for the UK’s homes and businesses.

For more information visit www.drax.com

Goole apprentice wins Drax award two years running

Press releases
Apprenticeships award evening 2019

Thomas Hughes, aged 27 from Goole, won the Business Apprentice of the Year Award 2019 and the Paul Chambers Outstanding Achievement Award of the Year. This comes after he won the Business Apprentice Award last year in 2018. Josh O’Rourke, was named Maintenance Apprentice of the Year (Year 4).

Having completed two years of his financial apprenticeship, Thomas is set to finish this December. He hopes to continue working at Drax, following in the footsteps of his father who has worked at Drax for 30 years, and his grandfather who also worked at the power station for 22 years. He said:

“It’s a great feeling to have been selected now two years in a row. Drax is a company I already feel like I’ve learned a lot with and I’m looking forward to developing even further as my apprenticeship is coming to an end and my career progresses from here.”

L-R: Mike Maudsley, Thomas Hughes and Harry Gration

The awards were presented by BBC Look North’s Harry Gration with 34 current and 5 graduating apprentices attending the event along with their mentors and managers.

Mike Maudsley, Drax’s UK Portfolio Generation Director, said of the apprentice awards:

“Inspiring young people and supporting them in their early careers is essential for our business’ future. Each new cohort of apprentices brings enthusiasm and fresh ideas and we want to make sure we’re championing them.

“These awards come after Drax doubled the number of apprentices it hired in the space of just two years, reflecting our continued commitment to increasing education and skills across our region.”

This year’s winners were:

  • Maintenance Apprentice of the Year 2019 Year 1 – Lewis Marran from Doncaster
  • Maintenance Apprentice of the Year 2019 Year 2 – Max Shaw from Gateforth, near Selby
  • Maintenance Apprentice of the Year 2019 Year 4 – Josh O’Rourke from Goole
  • Business Apprentice of the Year 2019 and the Paul Chambers Outstanding Achievement Award – Thomas Hughes from Goole
  • Uniper Engineering Academy Apprentice of the Year 2019 – Kai Lewis from Selby

As well as its technical apprenticeship scheme, Drax offers apprenticeships in business support areas, such as Finance and Business Administration. All opportunities are advertised on our website.

ENDS

View Selby awards press release.

View Doncaster awards press release.

Media contacts:

Ali Lewis
Drax Group Head of Media & PR
E: [email protected]
T: 07712670888

Joshua Atkins
Drax Group Press Officer
E: [email protected]
T: 07970256355

 Editor’s Notes

  • Drax has a longstanding commitment to STEM learning, with around 12,000 educational visits to the power station each year. These range from primary school pupils to degree level students, and all visits are tailored to the level of the visiting school, college or university.
  • It is also investing to help boost educational skills by working closely with local schools and colleges to encourage STEM learning.
  • In 2017 Drax welcomed six technical apprentices compared to nine in 2018, and 12 in 2019 with a further system security apprentice, demonstrating its commitment to retaining and developing a skilled workforce.
  • It has also launched a new apprenticeship scheme at its Scottish power generation sites which it is recruiting to now.
  • To find out more about working at Drax, go to https://www.drax.com/careers/

About Drax

Drax Group’s ambition is to enable a zero carbon, lower cost energy future. Its 2,600-strong staff operate across three principal areas of activity – electricity generation, electricity sales to business customers and compressed wood pellet production.

Power generation:

Drax owns and operates a portfolio of flexible, low carbon and renewable electricity generation assets across Britain. The assets include the UK’s largest power station, based at Selby, North Yorkshire, which supplies five percent of the country’s electricity needs.

Having converted two thirds of Drax Power Station to use sustainable biomass instead of coal it has become the UK’s biggest renewable power generator and the largest decarbonisation project in Europe.

Its pumped storage, hydro and energy from waste assets in Scotland include Cruachan Power Station – a flexible pumped storage facility within the hollowed-out mountain Ben Cruachan.  It also owns and operates four gas power stations in England.

Customers:  

Drax owns two B2B energy supply businesses:

  • Haven Power, based in Ipswich, supplies electricity and energy services to large Industrial and Commercial sector businesses.
  • Opus Energy, based in Oxford, Northampton and Cardiff, provides electricity, energy services and gas to small and medium sized (SME) businesses.


Pellet production:

Drax owns and operates three pellet mills in the US South which manufacture compressed wood pellets (biomass) produced from sustainably managed working forests. These pellet mills supply around 20% of the biomass used by Drax Power Station in North Yorkshire to generate flexible, renewable power for the UK’s homes and businesses.

For more information visit www.drax.com

Selby apprentices win top prizes at Drax awards

Press releases
Apprenticeships award evening 2019

Kai Lewis, aged 18 from Selby, won the Uniper Engineering Academy Apprentice of the Year Award and Max Shaw, 22, from Gateforth, near Selby, was named Maintenance Apprentice of the Year (Year 2).

Kai always knew he wanted a career in engineering and growing up only a few miles from Drax, he was curious about how the power station, which is the UK’s largest renewable power generator, worked.

Now, having completed two years of his apprenticeship as a technical engineer he is learning more about the important role he and the other engineers play in maintaining the power station so it can continue to produce enough renewable electricity for four million households.

Kai, who attended Snaith High School said:

“Changing Drax from a coal plant to one that could eventually be capturing carbon whilst generating power is a huge challenge that is really exciting to be a part of. Being at the forefront of that kind of innovation and learning new skills on the apprenticeship programme is a great opportunity and it’s great to be recognised for the work I’ve done with this award.”

Max, a Selby High School graduate and third year technical apprentice hopes to further his engineering career once he completes his apprenticeship. He said:

“It means a lot to win this award – it shows that all the hard work I have put in throughout the year has paid off. I’m enjoying my apprenticeship – every day I am learning something new.”

L-R: Mike Maudsley, Max Shaw and Harry Gration

Max’s passion for engineering started from a young age helping his dad, an agricultural engineer.

Mike Maudsley, Drax’s UK Portfolio Generation Director, said of the apprentice awards:

“Inspiring young people and supporting them in their early careers is essential for our business’ future. Each new cohort of apprentices brings enthusiasm and fresh ideas and we want to make sure we’re championing them.

“These awards come straight after Drax doubled the number of apprentices it hired in the space of just two years, reflecting our continued commitment to increasing education and skills across our region.”

The awards were presented by BBC Look North’s Harry Gration with 34 existing and 5 graduating apprentices attending the event along with their mentors and managers.

This year’s winners were:

  • Maintenance Apprentice of the Year 2019 Year 1 – Lewis Marran from Doncaster
  • Maintenance Apprentice of the Year 2019 Year 2 – Max Shaw from Gateforth
  • Maintenance Apprentice of the Year 2019 Year 4 – Josh O’Rourke from Goole
  • Business Apprentice of the Year 2019 and winner of the Paul Chambers Outstanding Achievement Award – Thomas Hughes from Goole
  • Uniper Engineering Academy Apprentice of the Year 2019 – Kai Lewis from Selby

Drax’s technical apprenticeship scheme helps new recruits gain skills and expertise by working alongside engineers who have helped transform the business into the largest decarbonisation project in Europe.

The Drax Technical Apprenticeship TrainingScheme is a four-year programme specialising in three engineering disciplines: Mechanical, Electrical and Control & Instrumentation engineering. Drax’s System Security Apprenticeship is a three-year, Level 3 Fire Emergency and Security Systems Apprenticeship, in conjunction with Lincoln College.

Drax also offers apprenticeships in business support areas, such as Finance and Business Administration. All opportunities are advertised on our website.

ENDS

View Doncaster awards press release.

View Goole awards press release.

Media contacts:

Ali Lewis
Drax Group Head of Media & PR
E: [email protected]
T: 07712670888

Joshua Atkins
Drax Group Press Officer
E: [email protected]
T: 07970256355

 Editor’s Notes

  • Drax has a longstanding commitment to STEM learning, with around 12,000 educational visits to the power station each year. These range from primary school pupils to degree level students, and all visits are tailored to the level of the visiting school, college or university.
  • It is also investing to help boost educational skills by working closely with local schools and colleges to encourage STEM learning.
  • In 2017 Drax welcomed six technical apprentices compared to nine in 2018, and 12 in 2019 with a further system security apprentice, demonstrating its commitment to retaining and developing a skilled workforce.
  • It has also launched a new apprenticeship scheme at its Scottish power generation sites which it is recruiting to now.
  • To find out more about working at Drax, go to https://www.drax.com/careers/

About Drax

Drax Group’s ambition is to enable a zero carbon, lower cost energy future. Its 2,600-strong staff operate across three principal areas of activity – electricity generation, electricity sales to business customers and compressed wood pellet production.

Power generation:

Drax owns and operates a portfolio of flexible, low carbon and renewable electricity generation assets across Britain. The assets include the UK’s largest power station, based at Selby, North Yorkshire, which supplies five percent of the country’s electricity needs.

Having converted two thirds of Drax Power Station to use sustainable biomass instead of coal it has become the UK’s biggest renewable power generator and the largest decarbonisation project in Europe.

Its pumped storage, hydro and energy from waste assets in Scotland include Cruachan Power Station – a flexible pumped storage facility within the hollowed-out mountain Ben Cruachan.  It also owns and operates four gas power stations in England.

Customers:  

Drax owns two B2B energy supply businesses:

  • Haven Power, based in Ipswich, supplies electricity and energy services to large Industrial and Commercial sector businesses.
  • Opus Energy, based in Oxford, Northampton and Cardiff, provides electricity, energy services and gas to small and medium sized (SME) businesses.


Pellet production:

Drax owns and operates three pellet mills in the US South which manufacture compressed wood pellets (biomass) produced from sustainably managed working forests. These pellet mills supply around 20% of the biomass used by Drax Power Station in North Yorkshire to generate flexible, renewable power for the UK’s homes and businesses.

For more information visit www.drax.com

Scottish Energy Minister visits Drax’s iconic Cruachan pumped storage hydro power station

24 October 2019

Press releases
Scottish Energy Minister visit to Cruachan

The iconic Cruachan facility in the Western Highlands can generate flexible power within seconds during times of peak demand, helping to keep the lights on for tens of thousands of households. It also provides crucial system support services to the electricity grid, enabling more renewables such as wind and solar to come onto the network. 

Mr. Wheelhouse said:

“It was fascinating to learn more about how important this unique power station is in supporting the energy system and just how quickly it can respond to changes in demand – delivering the power needed in as little as 30 seconds.  

“This kind of flexibility and resilience helps to support the growth of renewables, enabling further decarbonisation of the energy system as we strive for net zero carbon emissions in Scotland by 2045. 

“The real value the technology adds every day to our energy system is the reason why we, and industry partners, continue to call on UK Ministers to take action to ensure that they provide the revenue certainty developers need to underpin further proposed investments in pumped storage hydro capacity in Scotland.” 

(L-R) Drax CEO Generation Andy Koss, Scottish Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse overlooking the turbine hall inside Cruachan Power Station.

Andy Koss, Drax’s CEO Generation, said:

“Cruachan has been providing stability to the power network since 1965 when the turbines were first installed inside the hollowed-out mountain. As we move to a system with more renewables, the services that Cruachan provides are becoming more essential.  

“I’m incredibly proud of the work done by the team and the role they play in driving decarbonisation and economic growth as we continue to deliver the power relied on by thousands of homes and businesses.” 

Cruachan is one of four pumped storage hydro stations in the UK and has a capacity of 440 MW – enough to power more than 90,000 homes during peak demand.  

Built on the shores of Loch Awe in Argyll and Bute, it was the first reversible pumped storage hydro system on this scale to be built in the world. 

The turbine hall is located 1 km within the hollowed-out mountain of Ben Cruachan and houses four generators, supplying a range of vital balancing and ancillary services to the grid, such as frequency control, spinning and operating reserves, helping to maintain secure power supplies.  

Drax acquired Cruachan along with hydro facilities in Galloway and Lanark and a biomass-from-waste plant at Daldowie, near Glasgow, at the end of last year.  

Scotland is targeting net zero carbon emissions by 2045 – five years ahead of the rest of the UK. 

Top image caption: (L-R) Scottish Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse, Drax CEO Generation Andy Koss, Drax Head of Hydro Ian Kinnaird outside the Cruchan Power Station.

ENDS 

Media contacts:

Ali Lewis
Drax Group Head of Media & PR
E: [email protected]
T: 07712670888

Selina Williams
Drax Group Media Manager
E: [email protected]
T: 07912230393

Editor’s Notes 

  • Drax Group completed  the acquisition  of a portfolio of renewable, low-carbon and flexible power stations, in strategic locations across the country – from Scotland to the South East coast – on 31st December 2018. 
  • The plant has four primary modes of operation and can deliver a range of balancing and ancillary services. 
  • Cruachan acts responsively by generating electricity to meet peak-time demand. It can achieve full load in 30 seconds and can maintain its maximum power production for more than 16 hours if necessary. 
  • Cruachan’s Hollow Mountain visitor centre is also a popular tourist destination and was recently named by VisitScotland as one of its top visitor attractions. 
  • Guided tours are available through the Cruachan website <LINK> and school groups go free to encourage the next generation of engineers. 
  • This year, Drax recruited five apprentice engineers for its Scottish hydro sites, further boosting STEM education and local skills. 

About Drax

Drax Group’s ambition is to enable a zero carbon, lower cost energy future. Its 2,600-strong employees operate across three principal areas of activity – electricity generation, electricity sales to business customers and compressed wood pellet production.

Power generation:

Drax owns and operates a portfolio of flexible, low carbon and renewable electricity generation assets across Britain. The assets include the UK’s largest power station, based at Selby, North Yorkshire, which supplies five percent of the country’s electricity needs.

Having converted two thirds of Drax Power Station to use sustainable biomass instead of coal it has become the UK’s biggest renewable power generator and the largest decarbonisation project in Europe.

Its pumped storage, hydro and energy from waste assets in Scotland include Cruachan Power Station – a flexible pumped storage hydro facility within the hollowed-out mountain Ben Cruachan.  It also owns and operates four gas power stations in England.

For more information visit www.drax.com

Customers:  

Drax owns two B2B energy supply businesses:

  • Haven Power, based in Ipswich, supplies electricity and energy services to large Industrial and Commercial sector businesses.
  • Opus Energy, based in Oxford, Northampton and Cardiff, provides electricity, energy services and gas to small and medium sized (SME) businesses.

Pellet production:

Drax owns and operates three pellet mills in the US South which manufacture compressed wood pellets (biomass) produced from sustainably managed working forests. These pellet mills supply around 20% of the biomass used by Drax Power Station in North Yorkshire to generate flexible, renewable power for the UK’s homes and businesses.

For more information visit www.drax.com

Outdoor education at Drax’s Skylark Centre goes from strength to strength

22 October 2019

Press releases
Skylark Nature Centre activities

In the three years since Outdoor Ted began operating, more than 1,000 pupils have enjoyed educational visits to the Drax-owned Skylark Centre within the Barlow Nature Reserve as part of their studies at school.

By creating new and exciting educational experiences based around the National Curriculum in outdoor settings, Outdoor Ted makes learning more accessible and fun for pupils, resulting in positive feedback from teachers and repeat bookings.

The latest packages being developed for schools are aimed at helping to deliver education across all areas of the curriculum including history, geography and maths.

Outdoor Ted’s Owner, Stacey Howard said:

“Being able to use Drax’s Skylark Centre at the Nature Reserve has been a fantastic opportunity for us and the school groups we bring with us. With over a hundred species and great access provided by the team at Drax, Skylark’s a huge asset which we’re excited to continue to use.”

Drax’s Educational Tours team also offers free tours of the neighbouring power station – the UK’s largest renewable power generator – making for a fun-packed, day-long, school visit, during which students also learn about how electricity is produced, promoting science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects.

Drax Group’s Head of Sustainable Business, Vicky’s Bullivant said:

“The work we do with Outdoor Ted is all part of how we’re inspiring the next generation. Inviting young people to use our facilities at Drax provides an inspirational place to learn.

“Encouraging children of all ages to be interested at school, particularly in STEM subjects, helps to boost education and skills and develop the talented workforce needed for businesses like ours to continue to develop and grow in the future.”

The Skylark Centre is within the Barlow Nature Reserve owned by Drax, which is home to a variety of wildlife including deer, sheep, herons and skylarks, it even houses a swan sanctuary. It is open for the community to enjoy throughout the year with a number of community events and activities organised by Drax which the public can book onto.

For more information about visiting Drax’s Skylark Visitor Centre please visit the website here.

ENDS

Media contacts:

Ali Lewis
Drax Group Head of Media & PR
E: [email protected]
T: 07712670888

Selina Williams
Drax Group Media Manager
E: [email protected]
T: 07912230393

About Outdoor Ted

Outdoor Ted provides exciting and new ways to access the National Curriculum outside the classroom and having been joined by Sarah Needham, an experienced primary teacher, these can also now be delivered in schools maximising school grounds by delivering sessions on site. Arrows Archery, Bird I.D and campfire cooking are already proving popular at during school time and after school clubs.

  • Outdoor Ted is owned by Stacey Howard who has over 20 years of experience working in primary schools. Stacey she is passionate about getting children in the outdoors not only to learn about nature but to build resilience with a range of high-quality team building, problem solving, campfire cooking and shelter building activities.
  • The Skylark Nature Reserve is also home to Yorkshire Swan Rescue Hospital, a charity run by Dan Sibley M.B.E. When Dan is not out rescuing injured animals, he shows visiting schools around the hospital and chat with the children about caring for injured animals.

If any schools are interested in the delivery of Outdoor Ted please contact [email protected] and visit www.outdoorted.co.uk for more details.

About Drax

Drax Group’s ambition is to enable a zero carbon, lower cost energy future. Its 2,600-strong employees operate across three principal areas of activity – electricity generation, electricity sales to business customers and compressed wood pellet production.

Power generation:

Drax owns and operates a portfolio of flexible, low carbon and renewable electricity generation assets across Britain. The assets include the UK’s largest power station, based at Selby, North Yorkshire, which supplies five percent of the country’s electricity needs.

Having converted two thirds of Drax Power Station to use sustainable biomass instead of coal it has become the UK’s biggest renewable power generator and the largest decarbonisation project in Europe.

Its pumped storage, hydro and energy from waste assets in Scotland include Cruachan Power Station – a flexible pumped storage facility within the hollowed-out mountain Ben Cruachan.  It also owns and operates four gas power stations in England.

For more information visit www.drax.com

Customers:  

Drax owns two B2B energy supply businesses:

  • Haven Power, based in Ipswich, supplies electricity and energy services to large Industrial and Commercial sector businesses.
  • Opus Energy, based in Oxford, Northampton and Cardiff, provides electricity, energy services and gas to small and medium sized (SME) businesses.

Pellet production:

Drax owns and operates three pellet mills in the US South which manufacture compressed wood pellets (biomass) produced from sustainably managed working forests. These pellet mills supply around 20% of the biomass used by Drax Power Station in North Yorkshire to generate flexible, renewable power for the UK’s homes and businesses.

For more information visit www.drax.com

Drax strengthens biomass sustainability policy and appoints Independent Advisory Board

Press releases
LaSalle BioEnergy catchment area working forests

  • Former UK government Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Sir John Beddington to chair new Independent Advisory Board (IAB) which will ensure Drax’s biomass sourcing meets latest scientific research and best practice

  • New biomass sustainability policy drawn from recommendations in a report commissioned by the European Climate Foundation

In the updated policy, Drax has outlined how it will use the latest science and best practice and work with academic institutions and non-profit organisations to meet its core commitments to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, protect the natural environment, support people and communities and carry out research and outreach.

Drax also details the evidence the company will gather to increase transparency on its biomass sourcing and impacts. These include using big data and satellite images to evaluate the impact on forest cover and biodiversity in areas that supply the biomass the company uses.

New rail line and wood pellet loading bay with sawmill residues in view at Drax LaSalle BioEnergy

New rail line and wood pellet loading bay with sawmill residues in view at Drax LaSalle BioEnergy. Click to view/download in high res.

This comes in addition to the company’s current commitment to certification through the Sustainable Biomass Program, a globally recognised certification system designed for biomass from wood for use in energy production.

Drax Group CEO Will Gardiner said:

Will Gardiner, CEO, Drax Group.

Will Gardiner, CEO, Drax Group. Click image to view/download in high res.

“We’re committed to continuously raising standards in biomass sustainability, so our sourcing policies must evolve as the science develops.

“With stronger policies in place and an independent board to challenge us every step of the way, we will be setting the standard for others to follow, which is important as sustainable biomass plays an increasing role in addressing climate change.”

The UK government’s former Chief Scientific Adviser Sir John Beddington will chair the six-member IAB, which will provide independent advice to Drax in all areas of its biomass sourcing including procurement practises and feedstock options.

IAB Chair Sir John Beddington said:

“The IPCC and Committee on Climate Change both recognise that sustainably sourced biomass will play an important role in meeting climate change targets. I decided to chair the IAB because it’s vital that biomass is sourced sustainably and takes the latest scientific thinking into account.

John Beddington

John Beddington. Click image to view/download in high res.

“As the science evolves, we will make recommendations to ensure that the biomass used at Drax makes a positive contribution to our climate and the environment.”

Drax’s biomass sustainability policy draws on recommendations made by Forest Research, the research agency of the Forestry Commission, in a report commissioned by the European Climate Foundation, a philanthropic foundation.

The Forest Research report recommends 15 key criteria to deliver sustainable biomass that has the best outcome for the environment. These include favouring biomass that is associated with activities to conserve and enhance forest growth and productivity and a commitment not to take from sources that lead to deforestation.

Following the conversion of two thirds of the North Yorkshire power station to use biomass instead of coal, last year Drax reduced its carbon emissions by over 80% since 2012, making it the UK’s biggest renewable power generator and Europe’s largest decarbonisation project.

The company has plans to go further in its decarbonisation with the development of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage technologies which could enable Drax to become the world’s first negative emissions power station in the 2030s.

ENDS

Main photo caption: Working forest in Drax LaSalle BioEnergy catchment area. View/download in high res.

Media contacts

Ali Lewis
Drax Group Head of Media & PR
E: [email protected]
T: +44 7712 670 888

Selina Williams
Drax Group Media Manager
E: [email protected]
T: +44 (0)7912 230 393

Editor’s Notes

  • Members of Drax’s Independent Advisory Board are:
    • Professor Sir John Beddington (Chair) – Former UK Government Chief Scientific Adviser
    • Professor Lord John Krebs (Vice Chair) – Emeritus Professor of Zoology, University of Oxford and crossbench member of the House of Lords
    • Virginia Dale – Adjunct Professor, University of Tennessee
    • Professor Sam Fankhauser – Director of the LSE Grantham Institute
    • Elena Schmidt – Standards Director, Roundtable on Sustainable Biomass
    • Forest Research (Ex-Officio) – A representative from Forest Research, the UK’s primary organisation for forest science will also join the Board in an ex-officio capacity
  • The Board will provide independent advice to Drax on:
    • The role of biomass in Drax’s climate change mitigation activities and in supporting the transition to a net zero energy system
    • Feedstock options, sourcing decisions, forest science, forest carbon science and how Drax can optimise carbon impacts
    • Procurement practices
    • Societal expectations for responsible and sustainable biomass
    • And give feedback and recommendations on Drax’s sustainable biomass approach and performance
  • More information on the Board can be found here
  • Drax’s biomass sourcing policy contains four key commitments:
    • We will reduce CO2 emissions
    • We will protect the natural environment
    • We will support people and communities
    • We will carry out research, outreach and intervention
  • More information on Drax’s biomass sourcing policy can be found here (PDF)
  • The referenced Forest Research paper was commissioned by the European Climate Foundation and can be found here

About Drax

Drax Group’s ambition is to enable a zero carbon, lower cost energy future. Its 2,600-strong staff operate across three principal areas of activity – electricity generation, electricity sales to business customers and compressed wood pellet production.

Power generation:

Drax owns and operates a portfolio of flexible, low carbon and renewable electricity generation assets across Britain. The assets include the UK’s largest power station, based at Selby, North Yorkshire, which supplies five percent of the country’s electricity needs.

Having converted two thirds of Drax Power Station to use sustainable biomass instead of coal it has become the UK’s biggest renewable power generator and the largest decarbonisation project in Europe.

Its pumped storage, hydro and energy from waste assets in Scotland include Cruachan Power Station – a flexible pumped storage facility within the hollowed-out mountain Ben Cruachan.  It also owns and operates four gas power stations in England.

Customers:  

Drax owns two B2B energy supply businesses:

  • Haven Power, based in Ipswich, supplies electricity and energy services to large Industrial and Commercial sector businesses
  • Opus Energy, based in Oxford, Northampton and Cardiff, provides electricity, energy services and gas to small and medium sized (SME) businesses

Pellet production:

Drax owns and operates three pellet mills in the US South which manufacture compressed wood pellets (biomass) produced from sustainably managed working forests. These pellet mills supply around 20% of the biomass used by Drax Power Station in North Yorkshire to generate flexible, renewable power for the UK’s homes and businesses.

For more information visit www.drax.com

Cruachan Visitor Centre wins 5-star award from VisitScotland

8 October 2019

Press releases
Cruachan visitor centre

VisitScotland gave the centre, which is located at the power station on the banks of Loch Awe in Argyll and Bute, the highest scores for hospitality and friendliness – elevating the centre to the top 2% of their quality assurance scheme for the first time.

Sarah Cameron, Cruachan Visitor Centre Manager said:

“We’re thrilled to be recognised among the best of the best in Scotland. Our dedicated team always go the extra mile to make sure the experience people have here is as engaging and educational as possible.

“We have around 50,000 visitors a year, and they’re often awestruck by how this power station has been built inside a mountain. The stunning scenery and wildlife – including the pine martens, which people love to watch – makes it a very special place to visit.”

Drax’s Sarah Cameron who is manager of the visitor centre.

As well as the pine martens, Cruachan is also home to swallows, ospreys and golden eagles and often attracts walkers keen to take in the stunning views.

Cruachan power station was built in the 1960s deep inside the hollowed-out Ben Cruachan mountain. More than 1,000 workers, known as the Tunnel Tigers, drilled and blasted through the rock to create the cavernous power station.

Visitors can take guided tours inside the subterranean world of the power station where they can see the machine hall and learn about its history and the feat of engineering required to build it.

The visitor centre’s interactive exhibitions and displays help bring history to life and explain how electricity is generated. There is also a café, gift shop and picnic area.

As Scotland’s national tourism organisation, VisitScotland’s quality assurance scheme helps businesses develop their standards to the highest possible level. It uses benchmarking and ‘secret shopper’ visits to assess sites.

David Adams McGilp, VisitScotland Regional Director, said:

“Our scheme is about much more than just a star rating – it is about the entire visitor experience and investing in the business to make it as economically sustainable, and profitable, as it can be.”

Drax has introduced free guided tours at the Hollow Mountain for schools and higher education institutions during term time as part of its commitment to promote science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects and careers.

The company acquired Cruachan power station at the end of 2018, as part of its acquisition of a portfolio of flexible, renewable and low-carbon generating assets. Drax renovated the visitor centre and reopened it in February.

The visitor centre is open from 9.15am to 3.45pm in winter and 9.15am to 4.45pm in summer, Monday to Friday. The Hollow Mountain café uses produce grown at the centre’s own vegetable garden in its soups, sandwiches and salads.

To find out more about visiting Cruachan, go to https://www.visitcruachan.co.uk/.

TOP IMAGE: The Hollow Mountain visitor centre at the Cruachan pumped storage hydro power station.

ENDS

Media contacts:

Ali Lewis
Drax Group Head of Media & PR
E: [email protected]
T: 07712670888

Selina Williams
Drax Group Media Manager
E: [email protected]
T: 07912230393

Editor’s Notes

  • Drax Group completed the acquisition of a portfolio of renewable, low-carbon and flexible power stations, in strategic locations across the country – from Scotland to the South East coast – on 31st December 2018.
  • Cruachan Power Station is located on the shores of Loch Awe in Argyll and Bute, western Scotland. It is one of only four pumped hydro storage stations in the UK and has a capacity of 440 MW – enough to power more than 90,000 homes.
  • Cruachan was the first reversible pumped storage hydro system on this scale to be built in the world
  • The turbine hall is located 1 km within the hollowed-out mountain of Ben Cruachan and houses four generators.
  • The plant has four primary modes of operation and can deliver a range of balancing and ancillary services.

About Drax

Drax Group’s ambition is to enable a zero carbon, lower cost energy future. Its 2,600-strong employees operate across three principal areas of activity – electricity generation, electricity sales to business customers and compressed wood pellet production.

Power generation:

Drax owns and operates a portfolio of flexible, low carbon and renewable electricity generation assets across Britain. The assets include the UK’s largest power station, based at Selby, North Yorkshire, which supplies five percent of the country’s electricity needs.

Having converted two thirds of Drax Power Station to use sustainable biomass instead of coal it has become the UK’s biggest renewable power generator and the largest decarbonisation project in Europe.

Its pumped storage, hydro and energy from waste assets in Scotland include Cruachan Power Station – a flexible pumped storage facility within the hollowed-out mountain Ben Cruachan.  It also owns and operates four gas power stations in England.

For more information visit www.drax.com

Customers:  

Drax owns two B2B energy supply businesses:

  • Haven Power, based in Ipswich, supplies electricity and energy services to large Industrial and Commercial sector businesses.
  • Opus Energy, based in Oxford, Northampton and Cardiff, provides electricity, energy services and gas to small and medium sized (SME) businesses.

Pellet production:

Drax owns and operates three pellet mills in the US South which manufacture compressed wood pellets (biomass) produced from sustainably managed working forests. These pellet mills supply around 20% of the biomass used by Drax Power Station in North Yorkshire to generate flexible, renewable power for the UK’s homes and businesses.

For more information visit www.drax.com

Drax’s planning application to develop the latest in high efficiency gas turbine technology has been approved

4 October 2019

Press releases
Artist's impression of Drax Power Station CCGT

Drax’s planning application to develop the latest in high efficiency gas turbine technology has been approved.

The project could enable Drax to deliver more reliable and flexible, high efficiency electricity generation at its power station in North Yorkshire – helping the UK to transition to net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Drax must secure a capacity market agreement to underpin the investment needed to develop the first combined cycle generating unit.

If developed, 1.8GW of new capacity would be available at Drax from October 2023. This could help to displace less efficient and higher carbon emitting power stations, enabling further decarbonisation of the UK’s power system, whilst creating up to 800 jobs during construction.