Archives: Press Release

MOU agreed to develop ‘bioship’ technology and plans to construct the world’s first biomass-fuelled ship

14 May 2024

News
  • New bioship technology would use gas from biomass to propel ship
  • MoU between Japanese and British companies contains plans to develop bioship by the end of the decade
  • Technology could decarbonise shipping of biomass pellets to Japan, potentially reducing carbon emissions by 22% 

Leading Japanese companies, NYK Line (NYK), NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers (NBP), TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING Co., Ltd. (“TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING”) and British renewable energy business, Drax Group (Drax), have signed a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop both the world’s first biomass-fuelled ship (bioship) and the technology that could power it.

Rendering of bioship

Biomass is playing a growing role in Japan’s transition from fossil fuel power generation to low carbon and renewable electricity, and the country’s demand for biomass pellets, sourced primarily from North America and composed of sawmill and forestry residues, is increasing.

Drax produces biomass pellets in both the US South and Canada. The company has a longstanding relationship with NBP which transports its pellets to Japan.

These pellets are currently shipped through smaller handysize bulkers, which, due to the limited size of their fuel tanks, have proved challenging to switch to lower emission fuels, such as ammonia.

Through the MoU, which was signed at the British Embassy in Tokyo, the companies will initially conduct research to develop the new shipping technology, an on-board biomass fuel plant, which would be required to power a bioship. The four companies are exploring how other renewable technologies could be used to reduce both the emissions and fuel costs of shipping biomass.

The biomass fuel plant would use a gasifier to combust biomass at high temperatures and create and contain gases including carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and methane. These gases would then be used to power a generator which could propel the bioship and also provide a proportion of its internal power.

Biomass fuel plant system

The installation of a biomass fuel plant could see a 22% reduction in well-to-wake carbon emissions in bioships when compared to using fossil fuels. If this development is successful, the companies will jointly study the possibility of building a bioship by the end of 2029.

Shinichi Yanagisawa, Executive Officer of NYK Line, said:

“This initiative is part of NYK’s long-term target of net-zero emissions of greenhouse gas (GHG) by 2050 for the NYK Group’s oceangoing businesses. The NYK Group is committed to providing its expertise in low-carbon and decarbonised maritime transportation as per this MOU and will utilize the knowledge gained in this research and development to promote initiatives related to various energy-saving technologies. Through our strength in high-quality transportation services, we will continue to co-create value for society with our partners DRAX and TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING.”

Paul Sheffield, Drax Group’s Chief Commercial Officer, said:

“Drax aims to be carbon negative by 2030 and decarbonising our supply chain is critical to reaching this goal. This MoU is an important step in the development of the technology required to power and launch the world’s first bioship, which will support Drax’s decarbonisation goals but could also drive the innovation needed to transform shipping and cut carbon emissions and fuel costs in global supply chains.

“I’m looking forward to working with our partners NYK, NBP and TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING, to explore the potential this technology has to support global efforts to address the climate crisis. We are also exploring the role of other renewable technologies in delivering greener shipping.”

Masashi Suda, NBP’s President, said:

“Drax is a leading renewable energy company, and we are honored to be a part of this symbolic project to use its main products as environmentally friendly fuel in transportation of the products themselves. After study of biomass fuel plant and gasifier system, Drax, TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING, NYK and NBP have concluded a memorandum of understanding for the feasibility study on the development of the world’s first wood pellets-powered Super Low-Emission Vessel. This is important step towards decarbonised society for all concerned parties. NBP will continue to contribute to global decarbonisation together with its customers and partners. “

Kenichi Shibata, Managing Executive Officer of TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING, said:

“TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING focuses on reducing the global environmental impact in the design and construction of our vessels and has declared ourselves to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. For realising this aim and recognising ourselves to be a frontrunner of environmentally friendly yard, we are driving to develop and construct new fueled vessels which combining environmental impact reduction and economic efficiency.

“We are very proud to be involved in this project, which aims to achieve the world’s first maritime transport using wood biomass energy, in collaboration with NYK Line, NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers and Drax Group.

“This project is an attempt to implement ‘Creating the future, today’ as the TSUNEISHI Group slogan, and TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING will contribute by demonstrating our function as a shipbuilder for the project members.”

ENDS

Featured photo caption: MOU signing ceremony. From left: Kenichi Shibata (Managing Executive Officer/General Manager of Design Division, TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING Co., Ltd.); Paul Sheffield (Chief Commercial Officer, Drax Group); Masashi Suda (President, Chief Executive Officer, NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers Ltd.); Shinichi Yanagisawa (Executive Officer, NYK Line)

Notes to editors:  

Scope of each company

Company Role
NYK Line Providing knowledge on decarbonising maritime transport
NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers Ltd. Providing knowledge as a shipowner/operator on marine transportation of biomass pellets
Drax Group (Project originator) Producer of biomass pellets
TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING Co., Ltd. Providing technical expertise in ship design and construction and biomass fuel systems

Company overviews

NYK Line
Head office: Tokyo, Japan
Representative: Takaya Soga, President
Website: www.nyk.com/english/
Contact: [email protected]

Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) was founded in 1885 and is one of the world’s leading transportation companies. At the end of March 2023, the NYK Group was operating 811 major ocean vessels, as well as fleets of planes and trucks.

On March 10, 2023, the NYK Group released its medium-term management plan “Sail Green, Drive Transformations 2026 – A Passion for Planetary Wellbeing.” The NYK Group is promoting growth strategies with ESG at the core, based on the Group’s mission statement of “Bringing value to life.” and a new corporate vision for 2030, which reads, “we go beyond the scope of a comprehensive global logistics enterprise to co-create value required for the future by advancing our core business and growing new ones.”

NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers Ltd.
Head office: Tokyo, Japan
Representative: Masashi Suda, President & CEO
Website: https://nbpc.co.jp/en/
Contact: https://nbpc.co.jp/contact

As a member of the Nippon Yusen Group (NYK Group), we operate Handysize/Handymax bulkers, Conventional vessels (multipurpose vessels), Heavy-lift vessels, and Self-propelled deck carriers which are relatively smaller size for an ocean-going vessels in NYK Group. About 150 of this kind of vessels fit for all types of needs travel everyday across about 400 ports around the world, transporting an array of cargo to serve various customers in the world.

Drax Group
Head office: London, UK
Representative: Paul Sheffield, CCO
Website: www.drax.com
Contact: Andy Low, (+44)07841 068415, [email protected]

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 c.3,500 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.

TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING Co., Ltd.
Head office: Hiroshima, Japan
Representative: Sachio Okumura, President and Chief Executive Officer
Website: www.tsuneishi.co.jp/english/
Contact: Communication Dept. TSUNEISHI HOLDINGS CORPORATION
Email: [email protected]

TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING (HQ: 1083 TSUNEISHI, Numakuma-cho, Fukuyama, Hiroshima, Japan) engages in shipbuilding and repairs, and is the anchor company of the TSUNEISHI Group, which conducts business mainly in the shipbuilding industry and maritime transport. With manufacturing bases in Japan (TSUNEISHI Factory, the HQ), Philippines, and China, the company builds bulk carriers, container carriers, tankers, etc.

Drax’s iconic Cruachan ‘Hollow Mountain’ power station set for £80 million upgrade

29 April 2024

News

Drax has appointed global hydropower technology supplier ANDRITZ as the main contractor for the Cruachan upgrade project. ANDRITZ Hydro is one of the world’s leading suppliers of electromechanical equipment and services for hydropower stations and has installed around 470 gigawatts of capacity during its more than 180 years of operations.

The £80 million project will see the generating capacity of two of the plant’s four units increased by a combined 40 MWs to raise the facility’s total generating capacity to 480 MWs. The units were commissioned in 1965 and contain parts, including their turbines, which are now more than 50 years old.

Drax’s Cruachan Power Station is located on the shores of Loch Awe in Argyll and is one of just four pumped storage hydro facilities in the UK, playing a critical role in the country’s energy security.

Speaking in Ravensburg, Germany at the signing of the contract with ANDRITZ, Drax’s Interim Chief Operating Officer, Penny Small, said: “Pumped storage hydro is vital to the UK’s energy security, it’s a technology which works in partnership with renewables.

“These plants play a critical role in stabilising the electricity system, helping to balance supply and demand through storing excess power. When wind turbines are generating more power than we need, Cruachan steps in to store the renewable electricity so it doesn’t go to waste.

“By investing in Cruachan today, Drax is ensuring the power station can play an even bigger role in the energy system of tomorrow. We look forward to working with our contracting partners to deliver this exciting project.”

Dominik Fust, Managing Director at ANDRITZ HYDRO Germany, said: “We are proud to have been entrusted with the refurbishment of the Cruachan Pump Storage Power Plant. This project aligns with our mission to contribute to the global transition toward sustainable energy generation.”

The major upgrade to the two units will improve their operability and reliability, lengthening their lifespan. Drax’s investment is underpinned by the award of 15-year capacity market agreement worth around £221 million.

Pumped storage plants act like giant water batteries by using reversible turbines to pump water from a lower reservoir to an upper reservoir which stores excess power from sources such as wind farms when supply outstrips demand. These same turbines are then reversed to bring the stored water back through the plant to generate power when the country needs it.

The Cruachan upgrade project is separate to Drax’s plan to build a new 600 MW pumped storage power station adjacent to the existing Cruachan facility. A study by the influential trade body Scottish Renewables estimated that the project could create and support up to 1,100 jobs.

ENDS

Photo caption: Left to right – Ian Kinnaird (Drax Group Scottish Assets & Generation Director), Dominik Fust (Managing Director at ANDRITZ HYDRO Germany), Penny Small (Drax Group Interim Chief Operations Officer) and Alexander Bihlmayer (VP Global Sales at ANDRITZ) signing the contract in Germany.

Media contacts:

Aidan Kerr, Senior External Affairs Manager
E: [email protected]
T: 07849090368

Editor’s notes

  • Site works will commence in 2025 with our contractor partner ANDRITZ to install new main inlet valves and then unitised outages in 2026 and 2027 for units 3 and 4 respectively.
  • The upgrade project received development consent from the Scottish Government in December 2023 and was awarded a capacity market agreement by the UK Government in February 2024.
  • The upgrade is separate to Drax’s plans to build a new 600 MW power station adjacent to the existing Cruachan facility.
  • No investment decision in the separate 600 MW expansion of Cruachan has yet been taken by Drax and development remains subject to an appropriate regulatory framework.

Drax announces carbon removals deal with C-Zero

18 April 2024

News

Carbon removals and renewable energy company Drax Group today announced a carbon removals deal with C-Zero Markets (C-Zero), an environmental consultancy. The agreement is indicative of the maturing carbon market’s growing appetite for high-quality carbon removals and represents another concrete step toward Drax delivering bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) in the United States.

C-Zero will purchase carbon dioxide removals (CDR) credits from Drax representing 2,000 metric tons of permanently stored carbon under the terms of the agreement. The deal, which converts a previous MoU into a firm offtake agreement, is connected to Drax’s future deployment of carbon negative BECCS in the U.S.

“Organizations like C-Zero and the clients it supports are looking to permanent, engineered carbon removals that are high-integrity to ensure their climate commitments are achieved,” said Laurie Fitzmaurice, President, Carbon Removals at Drax. “As those deadlines approach, experts predict demand will soar for CDRs that are credible, quantifiable, and auditable – like those provided through BECCS by Drax – making now the smartest time to invest.”

This latest agreement between Drax and C-Zero is a clear indicator that demand for BECCS-derived carbon removals continues to increase. Today’s announcement comes just weeks after a firm offtake deal with Karbon-X, and Drax inked MoUs with Respira and C-Zero prior to that.

Drax also launched an independently operated business unit headquartered in Houston, Texas, at the beginning of the year with the intent of becoming the global leader in large-scale carbon removals. This business unit will oversee the development and construction of Drax’s new-build BECCS plants in the US and internationally, and it will work with a coalition of strategic partners to focus on an ambitious goal of removing at least 6 Mt of CO2 per year from the atmosphere.

BECCS is a carbon removal technology that uses sustainably sourced biomass to generate renewable energy while permanently sequestering the carbon underground. According to a recent report from Foresight Transitions, BECCS is necessary to help the United States achieve its ambitious decarbonization targets, deliver a zero-carbon power system by 2035, and become net-negative by 2050.

“Drax is one of the leading players in the BECCS space, and we’re thrilled to be partnering with them to help solve the other half of the climate equation with carbon removal,” said Mike Ridler, CEO at C-Zero Markets. “It has been great to work with them on process, compliance, and sustainability as this is fundamental to us as a business and to the clients we are supporting.”

The market for engineered carbon removals is maturing rapidly as organizations across the planet seek out solutions that can help them keep their climate commitments on track reliably. Because they are quantifiable and auditable – providing clearer value for the investment – BECCS-derived CDRs have quickly become a fundamental part of this voluntary carbon market.

To learn more about how Drax is helping organizations achieve their sustainability goals through high-quality carbon removals, visit www.draxcarbonremovals.com

Media contact:

Grant Stoker
Communications Manager, BECCS
Drax Group
[email protected]
318.376.3358

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 approximately 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.

About C-Zero Markets

C-Zero Markets provides environmental consultation, supporting companies and organizations with renewable energy solutions, emissions reduction and achieving carbon, compliance, and net zero targets. Their goal is to help organizations achieve the highest emission reduction standards possible. To learn more, visit www.c-zeromarkets.com.

Drax Community Fund donates to Ipswich organisations

15 April 2024

News
  • First round of funding from the Drax Community Fund will see donations given to 33 organisations across the UK.
  • Organisations that will receive funds include Grace Cook Primary School and Nursery and The Shelley Centre for Therapeutic Riding in Ipswich.

Renewable energy leader, Drax Group has announced the support it will provide to community organisations local to its operations though its new Community Fund, launched in 2023.

Drax’s Community Fund provides donations of up to £2,000 in the first round of funding for a variety of projects which support local communities.

Drax Energy Solutions, a B2B energy supplier is based in Ipswich, which works with businesses to help them use energy more sustainably, supporting their net zero ambitions.

Brendan Clark, Director of Drax Energy Solutions, said: “We take great pride in supporting a variety of organisations in Ipswich, from assisting Grace Cook Primary School and Nursery in developing outdoor spaces to aiding The Shelley Centre for Therapeutic Riding in purchasing and installing a new field shelter for their horses. Our donations aim to foster inclusivity, well-being, and community spirit throughout our local area.”

Ipswich projects that will receive donations include:

  • Grace Cook Primary School and Nursery: The organisation is seeking funding to develop our outdoor spaces in the next academic year, in order to support teaching and physical/mental wellbeing.
  • The Shelley Centre for Therapeutic Riding: Funding to purchase and install a new field shelter for the horses at the centre that looks to provide the opportunity to ride, or simply have sensory contact with horses, for people of all ages living with a disability.

Anne MacWillson, Coach at The Shelley Centre for Therapeutic Riding, said:

“The Shelley Centre for Therapeutic Riding is thrilled to receive a donation from the Drax Community Fund. Through our services, we provide therapy and sensory contact for all ages and disabilities, and we’ve seen that riding really does make a difference to people’s lives.

“This funding will go towards a new saddle for one of our newly arrived ponies, so that we can continue to support underserved groups through our therapeutic riding.”

To find out more about the Drax Community Fund and how to apply for funding, go to the website.

Notes to editors:

Drax Foundation, launched last March and awards larger grants of up to £50,000 for established, non-project organisations.

Drax recently announced the Community Foundation has given £2.7m in charitable giving for regional programmes and grassroots projects globally, of which £1.3m went to UK projects.

ENDS

Media contacts:

Andy Low, Media Manager
E: [email protected]
T: 07841 068415

About Drax

Drax Group’s (Drax) 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 c.3,500 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

Power generation:

Drax owns and operates a portfolio of renewable electricity generation assets in England and Scotland. The assets include the UK’s largest power station, based at Selby, North Yorkshire, which supplies four percent of the country’s electricity needs.

Having converted Drax Power Station to use sustainable biomass instead of coal it has become the UK’s biggest renewable power generator. It is also where Drax is piloting the negative emissions technology BECCS within its CCUS (Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage) Incubation Area.

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.

The Group also aims to build on its BECCS innovation at Drax Power Station with a target to deliver 4 million tonnes of negative CO2 emissions each year from new-build BECCS outside of the UK by 2030 and is currently developing models for North American and European markets.

Pellet production and supply:

The Group has 18 operational pellet plants and developments with nameplate production capacity of around 5 million tonnes a year.

Drax is targeting 8 million tonnes of production capacity by 2030, which will require the development of over 3 million tonnes 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.

Customers:

Drax supplies renewable electricity to UK businesses, offering a range of energy-related services including energy optimisation, as well as electric vehicle strategy and management. To find out more go to the website www.energy.drax.com

Drax Community Fund donates to four Northampton organisations

News
  • First round of funding from the Drax Community Fund will see donations given to 33 organisations across the UK.
  • Organisations that will receive donations include Northamptonshire Search and Rescue, Parklands Tigers FC, The Northants Knights American football team and Towcestrians Sports Club – rugby team U11s.

Renewable energy leader, Drax Group has announced the support it will provide to community organisations local to its operations though its new Community Fund, launched in 2023.

Drax’s Community Fund provides donations of up to £2,000 in the first round of funding for a variety of projects which support local communities.

Opus Energy, Drax’s renewable energy supply business works with small and medium sized companies and is based in Northampton.

Richard Shakespeare, Director of Opus Energy, said: “We are proud to support a diverse range of organisations in Northamptonshire, from aiding Northamptonshire Search and Rescue to assisting Parklands Tigers FC in encouraging local young people to get involved in local sport. Our donations aim to foster inclusivity, sportsmanship, and community spirit across our local area.”

Northampton projects that will receive donations include:

  • Northamptonshire Search and Rescue: supporting the charity to help the police with finding missing persons.
  • Parklands Tigers FC: funding to hold a summer football tournament for all community youth teams across Northampton.
  • The Northants Knights American football team: funding to provide individuals with equipment such as balls, helmet shoulder pads and uniforms to reduce costs and open the sport up to anyone that wishes to participate.
  • Towcestrians Sports Club – rugby team U11s: funding to support the under-11s rugby team to participate in a tournament.

Keith Hayhoe, Vice Chairman, Parklands Tigers FC, said: “We are delighted to be awarded a grant from Drax’s Community Fund this year to help with the organisation and promotion of our annual Summer Youth Football Tournament. Our tournament provides a safe and enjoyable space for young people and their families to participate in an outdoor sports event that promotes valuable life skills within the community.”

To find out more about the Drax Community Fund and how to apply for funding, go to the website.

Notes to editors:

Drax Foundation, launched last March and awards larger grants of up to £50,000 for established, non-project organisations.

Drax recently announced the Community Foundation has given £2.7m in charitable giving for regional programmes and grassroots projects globally, of which £1.3 million went to UK projects.

ENDS

Media contacts:

Andy Low, Media Manager
E: [email protected]
T: 07841 068415

About Drax

Drax Group’s (Drax) 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 c.3,500 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

Power generation:

Drax owns and operates a portfolio of renewable electricity generation assets in England and Scotland. The assets include the UK’s largest power station, based at Selby, North Yorkshire, which supplies four percent of the country’s electricity needs.

Having converted Drax Power Station to use sustainable biomass instead of coal it has become the UK’s biggest renewable power generator. It is also where Drax is piloting the negative emissions technology BECCS within its CCUS (Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage) Incubation Area.

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.

The Group also aims to build on its BECCS innovation at Drax Power Station with a target to deliver 4 million tonnes of negative CO2 emissions each year from new-build BECCS outside of the UK by 2030 and is currently developing models for North American and European markets.

Pellet production and supply:

The Group has 18 operational pellet plants and developments with nameplate production capacity of around 5 million tonnes a year.

Drax is targeting 8 million tonnes of production capacity by 2030, which will require the development of over 3 million tonnes 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.

Customers: 

Drax supplies renewable electricity to UK businesses, offering a range of energy-related services including energy optimisation, as well as electric vehicle strategy and management.

To find out more go to the website www.energy.drax.com

Drax Community Fund donates nearly £20k to Yorkshire organisations

News
  • First round of funding from the Drax Community Fund will see donations given to 33 organisations across the UK.
  • This includes donations to more than 20 organisations in the Yorkshire area, which deliver STEM education and skills development, enhance green spaces or improve communities.

Renewable energy leader, Drax Group has announced the support it will provide to community organisations local to its operations though its new Community Fund, launched in 2023.

The donations of £500 to £2,000 are for community-led projects which support STEM education and skills, enhance green spaces or improve communities local to its operations.

It has announced funding to 21 organisations in Yorkshire, where Drax owns and operates the UK’s largest power station. Drax Power Station near Selby, in North Yorkshire, generates enough reliable, renewable power for four million homes, using sustainable biomass and supports over 7,000 jobs, directly and throughout its supply chains, mainly in the North.

Bruce Heppenstall, Plant Director at Drax Power Station, said: “I’m really proud of the work Drax does to support the community local to the power station.

“The diversity of organisations that will benefit from the funding announced by our new Community Fund means we will be supporting lots more people across the county, including residents, charities and non-profits, which do really important work to enhance people’s lives here in Yorkshire.

“Through these donations we want to advance participation in STEM education and improve opportunities for people, and we aim to enhance green spaces, so residents have better access to nature.”

The projects in Yorkshire that will receive donations worth a total of £19,050, from Drax Community Fund, include:

  • Women in Tech, York: Encouraging young women to go into STEM careers, holding free monthly meetings, where local women can learn about career opportunities and meet role models in the industry.
  • Marshlands Primary School, in Goole: Pupils have been working with the local council to improve their local park, to install a wildflower patch and improve public facilities in the park.
  • Western Wolds Men in Sheds, East Yorkshire: Construction of nesting boxes designed for barn owls and little owls to encourage nesting in the local area.
  • Ryhill Junior, Infant and Nursery School, in Wakefield: Providing eight iPads to school pupils to further their education.
  • Goole Community Concert Band: Helping bring the local community together by starting a local community concert band in the town for all ages.

Graham West, Treasurer of Western Wolds Men in Sheds, said: “With the Drax Community Fund grant we are funding the building of owl boxes.

“At the moment we are working on 12 boxes and building is well in progress. Bob, who is a member and looks after our owl boxes, is now starting to put them up in trees in his area.

“The grant has given members an interesting project to work on – either cutting out the parts, assembling or painting so thank you again”.

Roger White, Member of Goole & East Riding Community Concert Band, said: “This donation from Drax will help launch our new community group of a fully inclusive concert band for our local areas in and around Goole.

“The money will be used to buy musical scores, and other essential equipment for the band giving our community a place to meet, play and enjoy music, something that has been absent in the local area for a long time. Welcoming musicians of all abilities and ages, we hope to perform at bandstands and other local events for the wider community to enjoy. Thank you, Drax Community Fund.”

To find out more about the Drax Community Fund and how to apply for funding, go to the website.

Notes to editors:

Drax Foundation, launched last March and awards larger grants of up to £50,000 for established, non-project organisations.

Drax recently announced the Community Foundation has given £2.7m in charitable giving for regional programmes and grassroots projects globally, of which £1.3 million went to UK projects.

ENDS

Media contacts:

Andy Low, Media Manager
E: [email protected]
T: 07841 068415

About Drax

Drax Group’s (Drax) 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 c.3,500 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

Power generation:

Drax owns and operates a portfolio of renewable electricity generation assets in England and Scotland. The assets include the UK’s largest power station, based at Selby, North Yorkshire, which supplies four percent of the country’s electricity needs.

Having converted Drax Power Station to use sustainable biomass instead of coal it has become the UK’s biggest renewable power generator. It is also where Drax is piloting the negative emissions technology BECCS within its CCUS (Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage) Incubation Area.

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.

The Group also aims to build on its BECCS innovation at Drax Power Station with a target to deliver 4 million tonnes of negative CO2 emissions each year from new-build BECCS outside of the UK by 2030 and is currently developing models for North American and European markets.

Pellet production and supply:

The Group has 18 operational pellet plants and developments with nameplate production capacity of around 5 million tonnes a year.

Drax is targeting 8 million tonnes of production capacity by 2030, which will require the development of over 3 million tonnes 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.

Customers: 

Drax supplies renewable electricity to UK businesses, offering a range of energy-related services including energy optimisation, as well as electric vehicle strategy and management.

To find out more go to the website www.energy.drax.com

Drax Community Fund donates over £9k to Scottish organisations

News
  • First round of funding from the Drax Community Fund will see donations given to 33 organisations across the UK.
  • This includes donations to six organisations in the Argyll and Bute and Glasgow areas, which deliver STEM education, skills development and local Council services.

Renewable energy leader, Drax Group has announced the support it will provide to community organisations local to its operations though its new Community Fund, launched in 2023.

The donations of £500 to £2,000 are for community-led projects which support STEM education and skills, enhance green spaces or improve communities local to its operations.

It has announced funding to five organisations in Argyll and Bute where Drax owns and operates Cruachan Power Station – a flexible pumped storage hydro facility within the hollowed-out mountain Ben Cruachan. Drax announced last year plans to build a new c.£500m underground pumped storage hydro plant at the site, that with the right support from the UK Government would create 1,000 jobs during construction. Additionally, Drax has donated to The Catherine McEwan Foundation in Glasgow, which helps people living with Crohn’s and Colitis access better treatment.

Ian Kinnaird, Director of Scottish Assets, Drax Group, said:

“Since the acquisition of Cruachan by Drax in 2019, our business has supported a range of initiatives and created apprenticeship opportunities for the local area. Linking us even closer with the communities we operate in and that many of our colleagues live within.

“Our new Community Fund has provided support to local primary schools, Oban Community Council and The Catherine McEwan Foundation. These donations will provide pupils with the latest technology, help with refurbishing buildings and contribute to school trips, all furthering our commitment to advancing STEM education in our local areas.”

The projects in Cruachan and Glasgow that will receive donations worth a total of £9,050, from Drax Community Fund, include:

  • The Catherine McEwan Foundation: Expanding opportunities for young people in the senior phase of secondary school living with Crohn’s disease or Colitis.
  • Lochnell Primary School: Purchasing DASH Robot, STEM equipment and additional ipads.
  • Oban Community Council: Funding local planning efforts around community engagement activities.
  • Home-Start Lorn: Helping to refurbish buildings and creating a family centre in Oban.
  • Oban High School: Funding a school rugby trip for the girls team to France.

Derek McEwan, Founder, The Catherine McEwan Foundation, said: “The Catherine McEwan Foundation is delighted to receive this support from Drax. Our scholarship is a unique initiative with incredible positive outcomes. To have this support means we can continue to support the education of young people living with Crohn’s & Colitis.”

Murray Hamilton, Principal Teacher of PE and HWB, Oban High School, commented: “We were delighted when we heard the support from Drax, it is a major boost to the girls’ fundraising. This is the first trip of its kind for a girls’ sports team at Oban High School; we are really proud of our girls and can’t wait to go to France and provide them with this opportunity. The support from Drax will help make it a truly memorable experience.”

Emma Rossiter, Primary 7 Principal Teacher, Lochnell Primary School, said: “The funding from Drax is game changing for us at Lochnell Primary School. We have been developing STEM opportunities within our curriculum. The Lego Spike Kits and iPads allow us to explore and develop our engineering and coding skills along with critical problem-solving skills and teamwork. Thank you Drax for making this possible.”

To find out more about the Drax Community Fund and how to apply for funding, go to the website.

Notes to editors:

Drax Foundation, launched last March and awards larger grants of up to £50,000 for established, non-project organisations.

Drax recently announced the Community Foundation has given £2.7m in charitable giving for regional programmes and grassroots projects globally, of which £1.3 million went to UK projects.

ENDS

Media contacts:

Andy Low, Media Manager
E: [email protected] 
T: 07841 068415

About Drax

Drax Group’s (Drax) 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 c.3,500 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

Power generation:

Drax owns and operates a portfolio of renewable electricity generation assets in England and Scotland. The assets include the UK’s largest power station, based at Selby, North Yorkshire, which supplies four percent of the country’s electricity needs.

Having converted Drax Power Station to use sustainable biomass instead of coal it has become the UK’s biggest renewable power generator. It is also where Drax is piloting the negative emissions technology BECCS within its CCUS (Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage) Incubation Area.

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.

The Group also aims to build on its BECCS innovation at Drax Power Station with a target to deliver 4 million tonnes of negative CO2 emissions each year from new-build BECCS outside of the UK by 2030 and is currently developing models for North American and European markets.

Pellet production and supply:

The Group has 18 operational pellet plants and developments with nameplate production capacity of around 5 million tonnes a year.

Drax is targeting 8 million tonnes of production capacity by 2030, which will require the development of over 3 million tonnes 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.

Customers: 

Drax supplies renewable electricity to UK businesses, offering a range of energy-related services including energy optimisation, as well as electric vehicle strategy and management.

To find out more go to the website www.energy.drax.com

Drax announces carbon removals deal with Karbon-X

28 March 2024

News

Carbon removals and renewable energy company Drax Group today announced a new carbon removals deal with Karbon-X, a leading environmental company. The agreement is the latest indicator of growing demand for high-quality carbon removals from bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS). 

Karbon-X will purchase carbon dioxide removals (CDR) credits from Drax representing 25,000 metric tons of permanently stored carbon at $350 per tonne under the terms of the agreement. The deal, which will occur over a five-year period starting in 2030, is linked to Drax’s planned deployment of carbon negative BECCS in the United States. 

“We’re excited to work with organizations like Karbon-X that understand the importance of investing in high-value carbon removals today,” said Laurie Fitzmaurice, President, Carbon Removals at Drax. “The CDR market, which is already maturing at a rapid pace, is expected to experience a supply crunch within the next decade as companies and countries approach their deadlines for carbon reduction targets.”  

The agreement with Karbon-X is the latest in a string of previously announced carbon removals memorandums of understanding that have included Respira and C-Zero. Drax also launched a new independent business unit earlier this year that is focused on becoming the global leader in large-scale carbon removals. This business unit will oversee the development and construction of Drax’s new-build BECCS plants in the US and internationally, and it will work with a coalition of strategic partners to focus on an ambitious goal of removing at least 6 Mt of CO2 per year from the atmosphere. 

BECCS is a carbon removal technology that uses sustainably sourced biomass to generate renewable energy while permanently sequestering the carbon underground. Measuring the impact of these high-quality carbon removals is more straightforward when compared with other solutions like nature-based removals, resulting in high demand. 

“This agreement with Karbon-X represents another major step forward in delivering BECCS by Drax in the United States to help meet this growing demand to decarbonize our planet,” said Fitzmaurice. 

Karbon-X intends to sell the credits it purchases from Drax on the voluntary carbon market, enabling individuals and organizations to achieve their own emissions reduction targets. It follows a stringent set of guidelines to ensure it selects only high-quality projects and providers, like BECCS by Drax. 

“We are thrilled to be working alongside Drax in the pursuit of their carbon removals program,“ said Chad Clovis, CEO of Karbon-X. “This partnership represents significant progress in our collective mission to combat climate change and build a more sustainable future.” 

As companies, industries, and countries increasingly look to engineered carbon removals to ensure they can meet their climate commitments, CDRs from carbon negative BECCS are becoming an integral piece of this market. Through BECCS, carbon removals are quantifiable and auditable, resulting in a higher quality credit. This separates BECCS-derived CDRs from carbon offsets, allowing organizations to have greater trust in the impact of their investments. 

To learn more about how Drax is helping organizations achieve their sustainability goals through high-quality carbon removals, visit www.draxcarbonremovals.com 

Media contact:  

Alex Schott 
VP, North America Communications
[email protected]
318.372.4091 

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 approximately 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.  

About Karbon-X 

Karbon-X is a leading environmental company that empowers individuals to offset their carbon footprints and drive positive change for the planet. Through its user-friendly mobile app, Karbon-X allows users to contribute to impactful projects and make a real difference in the fight against climate change. The organization is committed to transparency, convenience, and supporting projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

Drax Foundation gives £2.7m boost to communities globally

27 March 2024

News
  • Drax Foundation and Community Fund has given £2.7m to support people living in communities where Drax operates, globally. 
  • The money was provided by the renewable energy company to organisations that help under-represented groups, advance gender equality and support indigenous communities.  
  • Initiatives which have benefitted from the funding included those which improve STEM education, access to green spaces and energy efficiency measures in schools.  

The Drax Foundation provided £2.7m of funding to build stronger communities for a net zero future, significantly boosting the support provided by the global renewable energy leader in 2023. 

The Drax Foundation’s Annual Review reports on the impact the funding has had in the communities Drax operates in, where it has helped non-profit organisations to improve access to STEM education, nature and community green spaces, as well as renewable energy and energy efficiency.   

Drax CEO, Will Gardiner, said: “It’s important that we give back to the communities in which we operate and I’m very proud of the work the Drax Foundation has done in its first year. The engagement with our communities and partners has had a positive impact for a lot of people. 

“We are passionate about supporting diverse organisations, to deliver STEM education for those who may not have traditionally had access. And by improving green spaces and energy efficiency in schools we’re making communities more sustainable. I look forward to seeing the continued support we provide to our communities through the Drax Foundation in the future.”

In 2023, the Drax Foundation: 

  • Provided just over a quarter of its grants for STEM projects, funding education and training for 70,300 children and 637 adults globally. 
  • Provided money to help 20,860 people to access community green spaces and to restore or protect 1,230 hectares of land.
  • Funded energy analysis tools and climate education at more than 200 UK schools in the communities where Drax operates.  
  • Installed LED lighting in 8 pilot schools, as part of a £4.5 million investment over three years to help UK schools improve their energy efficiency.  
  • Provided money for local foodbanks, community sports teams, resources for local schools and improved community buildings.  

In addition, Drax Group’s Communities in Crisis Fund supported seven disaster relief projects around the world.  

In the UK the Drax Foundation provided £1.3m of funding, including: 

Supporting STEM education in areas of low social mobility through its partnership with the organisation STEM Learning and the Glasgow Science Centre.    

Gill Collinson, Director of Strategy and Partnerships at STEM Learning in the UK said: “We are delighted with the generous funding awarded by the Drax Foundation. The partnership will help STEM learning’s mission to change the lives of thousands of young people by supporting teachers and introducing young people to inspiring role models and raising their aspirations.” 

Providing energy-efficient LED lighting in eight schools in the UK and provided 240 more with energy analysis tools and education to enable them to be more sustainable. This was part of a £4.5 million commitment over three years to help schools improve their energy efficiency. 

Energy Sparks, which provides online training programmes to help schools reduce their energy consumption, benefitted from £150,000 which has put 120,000 pupils through Energy Sparks climate awareness programmes.  

The Argyll & the Isles Coast and Countryside Trust was also granted funding to help them expand outdoor STEM learning to more children and established a native tree nursery as a key part of their new Woodland Enterprise Hub.   

In Canada the Drax Foundation provided £576,000 of funding, including: 

STEM workshops and mentoring partnerships with the Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology (SCWIST) as part of its work to invest in girls and indigenous communities as future STEM leaders. Through this work over 470 women have participated in 57 STEM workshops and 24 women have participated in mentoring partnerships.  

JeAnn Watson, Director of SCWIST commented: “STEM skills are life skills, and with access to STEM knowledge, the youth of today can shape their own futures and chart a logical path in a rapidly changing world”.  

A three-year partnership with Science World to increase the educational opportunities for students in the most remote school districts and Frist Nations communities. So far 1,976 children have participated in the programme covering 16 schools in four communities.  

The University of British Columbia’s (UBC) Faculty of Forestry received £47,500 in grant funding supporting 316 children from underserved communities with access to bursaries. The programme called Wild & Immersive encourages children and young people to care for the environment through nature-based experiences.  

In the US the Drax Foundation provided £671,000 of funding, including: 

Community engagement projects focusing on local wildlife through a partnership with Houston Audubon in Texas.   

Pete Deichmann, Houston Audubon’s Land Director said: “With the generous support of the Drax Foundation, Houston Audubon can continue to lead the conservation action needed along the Upper Texas Coast to help protect our land as well as the migratory, breeding and resident birds that depend on us for habitat protection.” 

The Drax Foundation also partnered with Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering (TAME) providing £66,000 in grant funding which resulted in 160 students, the vast majority from a minority background, participating in STEM programmes in the state.  

Read the full Drax Foundation Annual Review here: https://www.drax.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Drax-Foundation-Annual-Review_2023.pdf

ENDS 

Media contacts: 

Aidan Kerr
Senior Media Manager
E: [email protected]
T: 07849 090 368 

Editor notes 

The Drax Foundation was launched in March 2023 to provide grant funding for non-profit organisations that improve equitable access to STEM education, community green spaces, and renewable energy in regions where Drax operates in the UK and North America.    

Drax’s Community Fund was established to respond to the unique needs and opportunities in communities where the company operates, with donations to local community initiatives.  

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 

Power generation:  

Drax owns and operates a portfolio of renewable electricity generation assets in England and Scotland. 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 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. It is also where Drax is piloting the groundbreaking negative emissions technology BECCS within its CCUS (Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage) Incubation Area.  

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.   

The Group also aims to build on its BECCS innovation at Drax Power Station with a target to deliver 4 million tonnes of negative CO2 emissions each year from new-build BECCS outside of the UK by 2030 and is currently developing models for North American and European markets. 

Pellet production and supply:

The Group has 19 operational pellet plants and developments with nameplate production capacity of around 5 million tonnes a year. 

Drax is targeting 8 million tonnes of production capacity by 2030, which will require the development of over 3 million tonnes 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. 

Customers:    

Drax supplies renewable electricity to UK businesses, offering a range of energy-related services including energy optimisation, as well as electric vehicle strategy and management.  

To find out more go to the website www.energy.drax.com