Archives: Press Release

Yorkshire communities received over £360,000 in 2024 with Drax Foundation funding

17 April 2025

News

Over £360,000 worth of donations were provided by the charitable entity of renewable energy company Drax, with funding going to a wide variety of organisations who support to local communities, help to develop STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) skills and support the transition to a net-zero future.

In North Yorkshire, near to Drax Power Station, £50,000 was awarded to Speakers for Schools, a leading social mobility charity that provides young people aged 14-19 with transformational career-enabling opportunities.

The funding saw 510 young people participate in the charity’s STEM programme in York, Hull and Doncaster, where they were given the opportunity to combine class-based learning with visits to businesses and employer visits to schools.

James Webster, Donor Relations Manager, Speakers for Schools said: “Following the success of our Workspaces of the Future project, we are delighted to be supported by the Drax Foundation once again to STEM-related work experience opportunities. This allows us to provide a project-based work experience engagement programme, building on all that we have learned from our previous collaboration to impact young people in Yorkshire who would otherwise not have access to such resources.”

Alongside the support for STEM learning, funding also went towards addressing fuel poverty in across Yorkshire.

£100,000 was donated to the Fuel Bank Foundation, an independent charity that aims to support families who pay in advance for energy. The funding will benefit around 3,600 people in 1,400 households who will receive crisis Fuel Bank financial help, alongside advice and support. The grant will also allow the scaling up of the Fuel Bank Foundation’s ‘Heat Fund’ which provides support for off-grid heated homes.

Across the globe, Drax Foundation funding helped to reach over 25,000 young people with STEM and nature-based activities. £3.6m worth of funding in total was donated in Canada, the US and the UK, with £2.91m awarded through the Drax Foundation, £695,000 via the Community Fund, and £11,500 donated through the Drax Crisis Fund, providing emergency aid in response to natural disasters, conflict, and other humanitarian crises.

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

ENDS

Notes to editors

In 2024, the Drax Foundation’s funding:

  • Led to a wide range of impactful outcomes, including 13,606 children participating in STEM education: 7,406 children and young adults taking part in nature-based education programs
  • Provided funding for 8,836 people with access to improved community green spaces
  • Gave financial and practical support to 2,800 UK households in ‘fuel poverty’ to help pay energy bills
  • Helped 262 schools to reduce their energy costs and consumption with energy-efficient LED lighting, solar panel installation and / or energy efficiency monitoring tools and advice
  • Funded 232 grassroots initiatives in the communities where Drax operates through the Drax Community Fund.

Media contacts:

Kieran Wilson
E: kieran.wilson@drax.com 
T: 07729092807

About Drax

Drax’s purpose is to enable a zero carbon, lower cost energy future. Our strategic aims are to be a global leader in both carbon removals and sustainable biomass pellet production, and to be a UK leader in dispatchable, renewable generation.

Our operations

Drax owns and operates a portfolio of flexible, low-carbon and renewable UK power assets – biomass, hydro, and pumped storage generation – which provide dispatchable power and system support services to the electricity grid.

We are the UK’s largest source of renewable power by output, and Drax Power Station is the UK’s largest single source of renewable electricity by output.

Through our pellet production facilities in North America, Drax is a leading integrated producer of sustainable biomass. Drax has 18 operational and development pellet production sites which will have a nameplate capacity of around 5.4 million tonnes once expansions are complete.

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

Our future

Drax is progressing options for carbon removals using bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) technology globally and at our UK biomass power station. We are progressing plans to develop 7 million tonnes of carbon removals through BECCS by 2030.

In 2024, we launched Elimini, a US-based company to lead our global efforts to deliver carbon removals at scale. Elimini’s purpose is to remove carbon for good. To achieve this, it is convening engineers, environmentalists, communities, investors, and innovators to scale the market for carbon removals, with the aspiration of transforming our economies from carbon emitters to carbon removers. For more information, visit elimini.com.

Communities in Scotland given a £250,000 funding boost in 2024 from Drax Foundation

News

£250,000 worth of funding went to a wide variety of organisations who support to local communities, help to develop STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) skills and support the transition to a net-zero future.

In Argyll and Bute, where Drax’s pumped storage hydro power station at Cruachan is located, a grant of £100,000 was awarded to ALIenergy – a charity working to prevent fuel poverty in the UK and support those who are affected by it.

“Funding from the Drax Foundation has helped us to increase both affordable warmth work and educational activities in Argyll and Bute. This work is much needed with energy prices still sky high and rural households in particular struggling with expensive forms of heating. The region is underserved in terms of facilities and this funding will help us with our goal of ensuring no individuals live in fuel poverty without access to affordable energy in Argyll and Bute.” said Lynda Mitchell, CEO of ALIenergy

In Galloway, where Drax operates it’s hydro-electric power scheme at six generating stations, the Kirkcudbright Dark Space Planetarium received £37,500 to support its work to promote awareness and understanding of science, technology and space exploration.

The donation directly supported accessible workshops and exhibitions for young people in the region, giving schoolchildren the chance to visit the planetarium and young people from deprived areas access to STEM learning.

Deb Findlay, Education Coordinator at Kirkcudbright Dark Space said: “Funding from Drax has helped our STEM Learning Programme expand in the last year, giving us the opportunity to put on new workshops, lectures and exhibitions and hire new staff members for the planetarium. These activities help young people from underprivileged areas in Dumfries & Galloway learn more about STEM and experience the renowned international dark sky park on their doorstep.”

Across the globe, Drax Foundation funding helped to reach over 25,000 young people with STEM and nature based activities. £3.6m worth of funding in total was donated in Canada, the US and the UK, with £2.91m awarded through the Drax Foundation, £695,000 via the Community Fund, and £11,500 donated through the Drax Crisis Fund, providing emergency aid in response to natural disasters, conflict, and other humanitarian crises.

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

In 2024, the Drax Foundation’s funding:

  • Led to a wide range of impactful outcomes, including 13,606 children participating in STEM education: 7,406 children and young adults taking part in nature-based education programs
  • Provided funding for 8,836 people with access to improved community green spaces
  • Gave financial and practical support to 2,800 UK households in ‘fuel poverty’ to help pay energy bills
  • Helped 262 schools to reduce their energy costs and consumption with energy-efficient LED lighting, solar panel installation and / or energy efficiency monitoring tools and advice
  • Funded 232 grassroots initiatives in the communities where Drax operates through the Drax Community Fund.

ENDS

Media contacts:

Kieran Wilson
E: kieran.wilson@drax.com 
T: 07729092807

About Drax

Drax’s purpose is to enable a zero carbon, lower cost energy future. Our strategic aims are to be a global leader in both carbon removals and sustainable biomass pellet production, and to be a UK leader in dispatchable, renewable generation.

Our operations

Drax owns and operates a portfolio of flexible, low-carbon and renewable UK power assets – biomass, hydro, and pumped storage generation – which provide dispatchable power and system support services to the electricity grid.

We are the UK’s largest source of renewable power by output, and Drax Power Station is the UK’s largest single source of renewable electricity by output.

Through our pellet production facilities in North America, Drax is a leading integrated producer of sustainable biomass. Drax has 18 operational and development pellet production sites which will have a nameplate capacity of around 5.4 million tonnes once expansions are complete.

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

Our future

Drax is progressing options for carbon removals using bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) technology globally and at our UK biomass power station. We are progressing plans to develop 7 million tonnes of carbon removals through BECCS by 2030.

In 2024, we launched Elimini, a US-based company to lead our global efforts to deliver carbon removals at scale. Elimini’s purpose is to remove carbon for good. To achieve this, it is convening engineers, environmentalists, communities, investors, and innovators to scale the market for carbon removals, with the aspiration of transforming our economies from carbon emitters to carbon removers. For more information, visit elimini.com.

UK urgently needs more energy storage to avoid wasting wind power – report

20 March 2025

News

The report, commissioned by Drax with academics at Imperial College London, showed that Britain reached an historic energy milestone in 2024, with wind power becoming the country’s largest source of electricity at 31%, surpassing fossil fuels for the first time in 140 years.

Despite that, 8.3 terawatt-hours (TWh), around 10% of wind generated power produced, had to be curtailed due to grid congestion, costing consumers nearly £400 million. This energy, enough to power over two million homes, was effectively lost because the grid lacked the capacity to transport or store it.

Graph: The rise of wind power and wind curtailment.

Rapidly scaling up storage capabilities such as long-duration energy storage (LDES) and battery energy storage systems (BESS), alongside better grid infrastructure, would mean that excess wind power produced when demand is low could be stored and released it when needed, preventing the grid from relying too heavily on gas during ‘dunkelflaute’ periods. However, without investment and further policy support for these solutions, Britain risks wasting vast amounts of clean energy, the report warns.

Since the birth of the electricity system in the 1880s, coal, gas or oil has dominated Britain’s power generation. Coal held the top spot until the 1980s, when gas took over, but 2024 marks the first year in which a clean energy source has led the way.

“The rapid continued growth of wind power generation should give us cause for optimism on the journey towards clean energy, but that growth presents its own very real and different challenges” says Dr Iain Staffell of Imperial College London, the lead author of the quarterly Drax Electric Insights report series.

“Last year we saw a 17% reduction in emissions compared to 2023, but with more wind comes more intermittency. This was evident across the back end of 2024 and early 2025, with three separate periods of cold, calm weather – known as ‘dunkelflaute’ – exposing Britian’s reliance on costly imported energy and drawing down the nation’s gas storage to ‘concerningly low’ levels.

“Investment in intermittent renewables such as wind and solar is helping us reduce fossil fuel levels in our power generation mix, but without large-scale energy storage and grid upgrades, we will continue wasting clean energy and paying the price for it, especially during long cold snaps and windless conditions.” explains Dr. Staffell.

“With upgraded energy storage and the transmission infrastructure to transport it, we can go some way to ensuring that wind and other forms renewable energy are not wasted, instead moving that power to where it is needed as well as storing it for those periods of dunkelflaute which necessitate dispatchable generation.”

The curtailment of wind energy – where turbines are shut down when there is no capacity to transport their power – is rising at an unsustainable rate according to the Q4 report. In just one year, curtailment doubled from 5.5% to over 10%, largely due to Scotland’s wind farms producing more energy than the grid can carry south to demand centres in England.

“The UK government has set ambitious targets for energy storage and grid reinforcement, but the pace of deployment must accelerate to match the rapid growth of renewable generation.” said Ian Kinnaird, FlexGen Assets Director at Drax.

“Policy incentives, streamlined planning processes, and investment in medium and long-duration storage technologies will all be critical in ensuring Britain fully capitalises on its renewable energy sources. These issues remain crucial to us at Drax, with our run-of-river hydro plants and pumped hydro storage power station at Cruachan ready to support the flexible generation we need to see, in order to transition to a low-cost, clean power grid by 2030.”

For more information and to access the full report, visit Drax Electric Insights here.

Media contacts:

Kieran Wilson
E: kieran.wilson@drax.com 
T: 07729092807

Notes to Editors

Case study

SeaGreen offshore wind farm, off of Scotland’s east coast, wasted an astonishing 70% of its output in 2024 because of grid congestion. The financial and environmental costs of such curtailment are mounting, underscoring the urgent need for solutions.

About Drax

Drax’s purpose is to enable a zero carbon, lower cost energy future. Our strategic aims are to be a global leader in both carbon removals and sustainable biomass pellet production, and to be a UK leader in dispatchable, renewable generation.

Our operations

Drax owns and operates a portfolio of flexible, low-carbon and renewable UK power assets – biomass, hydro, and pumped storage generation – which provide dispatchable power and system support services to the electricity grid.

We are the UK’s largest source of renewable power by output, and Drax Power Station is the UK’s largest single source of renewable electricity by output.

Through our pellet production facilities in North America, Drax is a leading integrated producer of sustainable biomass. Drax has 18 operational and development pellet production sites which will have a nameplate capacity of around 5.4 million tonnes once expansions are complete.

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

Our future

Drax is progressing options for carbon removals using bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) technology globally and at our UK biomass power station. We are progressing plans to develop 7 million tonnes of carbon removals through BECCS by 2030.

In 2024, we launched Elimini, a US-based company to lead our global efforts to deliver carbon removals at scale. Elimini’s purpose is to remove carbon for good. To achieve this, it is convening engineers, environmentalists, communities, investors, and innovators to scale the market for carbon removals, with the aspiration of transforming our economies from carbon emitters to carbon removers. For more information, visit elimini.com.

Drax engineering duo become mentors through programme set up in memory of Princess Diana

11 March 2025

News

Two innovation engineers at Britain’s largest renewable power station have partnered with the prestigious Diana Award charity, to provide mentoring for young people at risk of becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training), whilst learning about the barriers to social mobility they encounter.

Mustapha Cham and Sean Kilbride, who both work on the Innovation Team at Drax Power Station near Selby, North Yorkshire, were accepted onto the Autumn 2024 cohort of the Diana Award’s mentoring programme, run by the charity which was set up in memory of the late Princess Diana 25 years ago.

The Diana Award Mentoring Programme offers a twelve-week group mentoring and career skills development initiative for young people aged 14-18 who are ‘at risk of becoming NEET’ in Leeds & West Yorkshire and London. The programme provides professional guidance, career skills training, and encourages youth-led social action projects addressing community issues, in memory of the late princess Diana.

For Mustapha Cham, the programme represents an opportunity to help those in a similar position to himself at Westborough High School in Dewsbury, having moved from The Gambia to Yorkshire at a young age.

“I was born in The Gambia and moved to the UK at 11, starting school halfway through year eight in an environment where I was different from the other students. I wanted to be in a school where I could meet young people with similar backgrounds. That’s why I wanted to mentor at the school in Dewsbury, which has a lot of diverse pupils from different cultural backgrounds.” He explains

“When I look back at how I was at that age, I would have really appreciated it if someone from the industry who looked and spoke like me came in to mentor us and talk about what it is like to work at a place like Drax Power Station.”

Not only did Mustapha find himself adapting to a new country at a young age, he also struggled to show his true academic potential due to his stammer.

“For someone with a stammer, what I always had in my mind when I was younger, was that I wasn’t good enough. Communication wasn’t one my best skills and therefore I acted in a certain way that made me the scapegoat of our classroom.”

He adds: “That was a way of me showing my feelings and it reminds me of some of the young people that I mentor. They can’t really express how they feel, so therefore, sitting down with them, talking about my journey, my vulnerabilities and where I am today, some of them I can see saying ‘Wow, OK. There is a way of getting there.’”

Sean Kilbride, who also works as an innovation engineer at Drax Power Station looks back on his struggles at school as one of the key motivations to become a mentor through the Diana Award.

“My daughter was diagnosed as dyslexic in 2023 and through this diagnosis it was apparent that I too have the same struggles when it comes processing information such as reading, writing and grammar, something I wish I had known back when I was at school. School is something I really struggled with, and I only wish someone would had have told me back then that academic ability isn’t a limiting factor when it comes to having a successful career. It’s about honing the skills you do have and making the most of them.”

Sean has since gone on to work across several teams at Drax, including successfully progressing through Drax’s Development Engineer programme to become a mechanical engineer during the back end of Drax Power Station’s transition from coal to sustainable biomass. Now in the innovation team, Sean’s focus is firmly set on clean energy and how Drax can reduce its emissions through BECCS (bioenergy with carbon capture and storage) and other decarbonisation opportunities.

“We’ve done CV sessions, looked at career pathways and we always try to gamify these things to keep the mentees engaged. We even made a ping pong game to help them write a CV for a job interview, which they were hesitant of at first but once they got past that initial disengagement and actually had fun. Before they knew it had built a CV.” Sean says.

The programme itself offers support for young people at a time where the UK is struggling with social mobility and equality of opportunity. Over the past three years, children and young people have experienced significant disruption to their education.

Research from the Office for National Statistics indicates that there are an estimated 900,000 NEET young people in the UK- that is 12.6% of young people.

Coming to the end of their first 12-week mentoring programme, both Sean and Mustapha joined their mentees on a tour of Drax Power Station where they got to meet the power station’s resident canine condition-based monitoring robot Sparky.

Sean Kilbride and Mustapha Cham (left) introduce their Diana Award mentees to Sparky the Robodog.

“The trip to the power station was a great experience for my mentees.” Said Sean.

“I think it is an eye opener when they can see that they could have a fulfilling career at a place like Drax (Power Station). I’m proud that the Diana award have given me the platform to hopefully show them that I was in their situation once, and now I have a role in reshaping the future with Drax.”

Speaking on what the mentoring scheme with the Diana Award has given him, Mustapha emphasised that the key to helping young people at risk of becoming NEET is getting them the right support.

“A mentoring programme like this allows me to just show people and tell people it really doesn’t matter about your background or what you’ve got. You can work on big things like BECCS (bioenergy with carbon capture) and other important projects in different industries. Any young person can achieve that, with the proper support and encouragement to embrace their vulnerabilities.”

ENDS

Featured image caption: Students from Westborough High School in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire visit Drax Power Station as part of their 12-week Diana Award mentoring programme.

Media contacts:

Kieran Wilson
E: kieran.wilson@drax.com 
T: 07729092807

About Drax

Drax’s purpose is to enable a zero carbon, lower cost energy future. Our strategic aims are to be a global leader in both carbon removals and sustainable biomass pellet production, and to be a UK leader in dispatchable, renewable generation.

Our operations

Drax owns and operates a portfolio of flexible, low-carbon and renewable UK power assets – biomass, hydro, and pumped storage generation – which provide dispatchable power and system support services to the electricity grid.

We are the UK’s largest source of renewable power by output, and Drax Power Station is the UK’s largest single source of renewable electricity by output.

Through our pellet production facilities in North America, Drax is the world’s second largest producer of sustainable biomass. Drax has 18 operational and development pellet production sites which will have a nameplate capacity of around 5.4 million tonnes once expansions are complete.

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

Our future

Drax is progressing options for carbon removals using bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) technology globally and at our UK biomass power station. We are progressing plans to develop 7 million tonnes of carbon removals through BECCS by 2030.

In 2024, we launched Elimini, a US-based company to lead our global efforts to deliver carbon removals at megaton scale. Elimini’s purpose is to remove carbon for good. To achieve this, it is convening engineers, environmentalists, communities, investors, and innovators to scale the market for carbon removals, with the aspiration of transforming our economies from carbon emitters to carbon removers. For more information, visit elimini.com.

Drax launches first virtual work experience programme with Springpod

4 March 2025

News

The UK’s largest single provider of renewable energy Drax (Drax Group), has teamed up with online learning platform Springpod to deliver an innovative virtual work experience programme for students, introducing them to early careers at Drax and the important role the company plays in the UK’s journey to net-zero.

The course, titled ‘Decarbonise and Transform: Sustainable Energy Work Experience with Drax’, will give students the chance to take part in on demand activities that build their understanding of sustainable biomass power generation with BECCS (bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, along with pellet production, flexible energy solutions and carbon removals.

Participants will have access to engaging content that introduces students to career pathways at Drax and the various business units, roles and functions at each of Drax’s sites. The module also highlights the importance of core services like legal, finance, HR, IT, and security, and their contribution to Drax’s sustainability goals in the form of quizzes and activities.

Students who complete the virtual work experience programme will receive a certificate of completion that will enhance applications for jobs, apprenticeships and UCAS personal statements.

Karen McKeever, Chief People Officer at Drax said:

“We are pleased to continue our exciting work with Springpod through the launch of our new virtual work experience programme, building on the launch of our Project Sprint last year. These programmes represent a highly inclusive way of bringing people to Drax, creating accessible opportunities for young people to learn more about Drax and renewable energy in an engaging way.

It’s crucial that we continue to offer tangible pathways for the next generation to play their part and Drax is committed to putting young people and students at the heart of our strategy for a sustainable future.”

Sam Hyams CEO of Springpod said:

“At Springpod, we’re proud to partner with Drax to reimagine work experience for the next generation of talent. Through our immersive virtual work experiences, which complement Drax’s in-person experiences, we’re helping students gain valuable insights into the energy sector while developing critical skills.

“Together, we’re opening doors to exciting opportunities, reaching diverse communities, and engaging students in projects that will shape the future of carbon capture, hydro, and renewable energy. By working together, we’re ensuring that every student, no matter where they are, has the chance to build a meaningful career in energy.”

The launch follows the initial project sprint programme, which became available in December for students aged 14-19, offering a virtual taster of working as a Process Engineer on the BECCS project at Drax Power Station.

Find out more about the virtual work experience on Springpod’s website here.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Media contacts:

Kieran Wilson
E: kieran.wilson@drax.com
T: 07729092807

About Drax

Drax’s purpose is to enable a zero carbon, lower cost energy future. Our strategic aims are to be a global leader in both carbon removals and sustainable biomass pellet production, and to be a UK leader in dispatchable, renewable generation.

Our operations

Drax owns and operates a portfolio of flexible, low-carbon and renewable UK power assets – biomass, hydro, and pumped storage generation – which provide dispatchable power and system support services to the electricity grid.

We are the UK’s largest source of renewable power by output, and Drax Power Station is the UK’s largest single source of renewable electricity by output.

Through our pellet production facilities in North America, Drax is a leading integrated producer of sustainable biomass. Drax has 18 operational and development pellet production sites which will have a nameplate capacity of around 5.4 million tonnes once expansions are complete.

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

Our future

Drax is progressing options for carbon removals using bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) technology globally and at our UK biomass power station. We are progressing plans to develop 7 million tonnes of carbon removals through BECCS by 2030.

In 2024, we launched Elimini, a US-based company to lead our global efforts to deliver carbon removals at scale. Elimini’s purpose is to remove carbon for good. To achieve this, it is convening engineers, environmentalists, communities, investors, and innovators to scale the market for carbon removals, with the aspiration of transforming our economies from carbon emitters to carbon removers. For more information, visit elimini.com.

 

Drax Foundation funding helps support the UK’s first ‘Rainforest Squad’

12 February 2025

News

The latest round of funding, part of the Drax Foundation’s 2024 H2 donations, saw £25,341 given to help ACT build upon their long-term projects and to recruit a co-ordinator to support activities at ACT’s Rainforest Hub in Lochgilphead, 40 miles from Drax’s Cruachan pumped hydro storage facility.

The Rainforest Hub was established back in 2023, with funding from the Drax Foundation, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Argyll and Bute Council, NatureScot and Scottish Forestry, to serve as a focal point of activity around Argyll’s Rainforest and features a new native tree nursery, planted with the help of Drax Foundation funding.

Alongside the tree nursery, ACT has also created a ‘Rainforest Squad’ to deliver training courses at the Rainforest Hub’s outdoor learning activity space.

Previous grants from the Drax Foundation have been used to support the delivery of outdoor science, technology, maths and engineering (STEM) learning throughout Argyll with 49 sessions provided to nearly 300 school pupils and funding will continue to support the growth of this programme. ACT has become one of a small number of Scottish organisations to become an accredited Young STEM Leaders Delivery Centre.

This academic year’s outdoor programme is now underway and will be regularly visiting the tree nursery located at the hub. Launched in 2023, the pilot scheme had a significant impact on young people with the unique experiences offering engaging, creative and inclusive learning opportunities with the addition of the new tree nursery giving school children a perfect environment for the application of STEM in nature.

Julie Young, ACT CEO, said:

“Having our own Rainforest Squad and native tree nursery is a game changer for us – it allows us to ensure a healthy stock of trees with local provenance for planting for our own projects, and also provides a fantastic learning opportunity for our Outdoor STEM projects, and for rainforest volunteers to really get involved with what rainforest restoration it all about.”

Scotland’s temperate rainforest, also known as Atlantic woodland or the Celtic Rainforest, is a unique habitat of ancient and native forest, open glades, boulders, crags, ravines and river gorges. Argyll itself is home to more than half of the remaining rainforest in Scotland; however, the internationally important habitat is currently under threat from invasive plant species and the looming threat of climate change.

Shona King, Group Head of Community at Drax said:

“The native rainforests in Argyll are unique and biodiverse habitats that provide the ideal setting for children to learn their STEM in nature skills. Drax are proud to continue our long-term funding commitment to ACT, who provide such a strong impact to young people through its activities and programmes in the region. We look forward to seeing the positives outcomes that this funding will no doubt deliver.”

ENDS

Media contacts:

Kieran Wilson
E: kieran.wilson@drax.com
T: 07729092807

 

About Drax

Drax’s purpose is to enable a zero carbon, lower cost energy future. Our strategic aims are to be a global leader in both carbon removals and sustainable biomass pellet production, and to be a UK leader in dispatchable, renewable generation.

Our operations

Drax owns and operates a portfolio of flexible, low-carbon and renewable UK power assets – biomass, hydro, and pumped storage generation – which provide dispatchable power and system support services to the electricity grid.

We are the UK’s largest source of renewable power by output, and Drax Power Station is the UK’s largest single source of renewable electricity by output.

Through our pellet production facilities in North America, Drax is the world’s second largest producer of sustainable biomass. Drax has 18 operational and development pellet production sites which will have a nameplate capacity of around 5.4 million tonnes once expansions are complete.

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

Our future

Drax is progressing options for carbon removals using bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) technology globally and at our UK biomass power station. We are progressing plans to develop 7 million tonnes of carbon removals through BECCS by 2030.

In 2024, we launched Elimini, a US-based company to lead our global efforts to deliver carbon removals at megaton scale. Elimini’s purpose is to remove carbon for good. To achieve this, it is convening engineers, environmentalists, communities, investors, and innovators to scale the market for carbon removals, with the aspiration of transforming our economies from carbon emitters to carbon removers. For more information, visit elimini.com.

 

 

 

 

Drax fuels another year of STEM learning at the Glasgow Science Centre

3 February 2025

News

In its inaugural year, the programme engaged over 1,400 primary and secondary school pupils in this green energy initiative. Aimed at nurturing STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) skills, the programme seeks to inspire the next generation to pursue careers in hydropower.

Fully funded by Drax, the initiative benefits from a £60,000 grant to the Glasgow Science Centre, allowing expert staff to deliver this educational endeavour. This announcement coincides with the 60th anniversary celebration of Drax’s Cruachan Power Station, Scotland’s largest pumped storage hydro plant, originally opened by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 1965.

 

Sarah Cameron, Community Manager for Scotland at Drax Group, said:

“Last year’s programme was tremendously successful, engaging over 1,400 school pupils in activities both at the Glasgow Science Centre and within their school classrooms. As we celebrate the 60th anniversary of our iconic ‘Hollow Mountain’ Cruachan Power Station, I am thrilled that we can extend another £60,000 grant to the Glasgow Science Centre to continue this initiative.

“I am confident that this year’s programme will be equally popular. It represents an incredibly exciting opportunity for young people to enhance their STEM skills and gain insights into potential career paths in renewable energy.”

The primary schools programme, facilitated through Glasgow Science Centre’s ‘Learning Lab’ over four to six weeks, uses case studies of Drax’s Scottish assets to educate children on various hydropower types like pumped hydro and run-of-river plants, with participating classes either visiting the Science Centre or receiving a visit from its ‘On Tour’ team.

For secondary students, particularly those in fifth and sixth year, STEM Futures Work Readiness Workshops are offered at the Glasgow Science Centre, where they collaborate to explore career opportunities in Scottish hydropower and the necessary skills for those roles.

Dr Stuart Meiklejohn, Glasgow Science Centre’s STEM Futures Project Coordinator, said:

“At Glasgow Science Centre we are delighted to continue and expand our partnership with Drax, delivering hydro-themed resources and workshops across Scotland.

“With this support we can help over 1,500 students learn about hydro power and its importance in their everyday lives, including inspiring the workforce of the future”

ENDS

Media contacts:

Aidan Kerr
E: aidan.kerr@drax.com 
T: 07849090368 

Editor notes

About Drax

Drax’s purpose is to enable a zero carbon, lower cost energy future. Our strategic aims are to be a global leader in both carbon removals and sustainable biomass pellet production, and to be a UK leader in dispatchable, renewable generation.

Our operations

Drax owns and operates a portfolio of flexible, low-carbon and renewable UK power assets – biomass, hydro, and pumped storage generation – which provide dispatchable power and system support services to the electricity grid.

We are the UK’s largest source of renewable power by output, and Drax Power Station is the UK’s largest single source of renewable electricity by output.

Through our pellet production facilities in North America, Drax is the world’s second largest producer of sustainable biomass. Drax has 18 operational and development pellet production sites which will have a nameplate capacity of around 5.4 million tonnes once expansions are complete.

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

Our future

Drax is progressing options for carbon removals using bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) technology globally and at our UK biomass power station. We are progressing plans to develop 7 million tonnes of carbon removals through BECCS by 2030.

In 2024, we launched Elimini, a US-based company to lead our global efforts to deliver carbon removals at megaton scale. Elimini’s purpose is to remove carbon for good. To achieve this, it is convening engineers, environmentalists, communities, investors, and innovators to scale the market for carbon removals, with the aspiration of transforming our economies from carbon emitters to carbon removers. For more information, visit elimini.com.

Drax funding ‘un-lochs’ water-based safety and activities for young people in Galloway

27 January 2025

News
  • £5,000 has been awarded to Embers Aquatics – an organisation providing schools with water safety training and awareness.
  • £1,000 donated to two schools in Galloway for STEM resources.
  • Funding awarded to Loch Ken Trust’s Youth Water Safety Awareness Programme.

The Drax Foundation, the charitable entity of renewable energy company Drax Group (Drax), has awarded funding to several organisations that promote water safety in communities near to its hydro-electric power assets in Scotland.

Ian Kinnaird, Drax’s FlexGen Assets Director said: “We want to make sure that young people can benefit from the outstanding natural beauty of places nearby to our Scottish hydro-electric assets. That’s why promoting water safety in the communities where we operate is an important issue for us at Drax.

“Picturesque lochs and stunning coastline make our landscape one of the most beautiful places in the world, and by equipping young people with the skills to keep themselves safe on and around the water, more people can take part in water activities in these special areas.”

Embers Aquatics, a charity engaging with Scottish primary schools to conduct water safety workshops, will receive £5,000 to support their goal of helping young people prioritise water safety in Galloway, Argyll and Bute and Lanarkshire.

The project aims to deliver a total of 375 workshops, potentially supporting around 7,500 pupils across Scotland.

Funding has also been awarded to support Loch Ken Trust, who provide schools with safety sessions through their Youth Water Safety Awareness Programme – and carry out patrols through its ranger service, encouraging users of the Loch to be safe and mindful of the environment.

Leanne Pumpr, Head Ranger for Loch Ken Trust, spoke about the importance of the initiatives: “We are really grateful to the Drax Foundation for this funding, which will help to support our important work around Loch Ken for both the local environment and our water safety sessions.“On average, 96 people lose their life each year due to a water-related fatality in Scotland, so it is of paramount importance that we teach young people how to enjoy water-based activities in a safe and responsible way.”

Competition winner, Abbie Dickie, with her winning entry on display at Loch Ken

Highlighting the importance of water safety also gave local schools in Galloway the opportunity to win £500 for STEM resources. Schoolchildren in the region were tasked with designing a poster to raise awareness of water safety, with winning entries displayed beside Loch Ken and schools receiving a £500 grant to spend on STEM resources. Competition winners were:

  • Tamzin Scott, Crossmichael Primary School – Primaries 2-4
  • Abbie Dickie, Springholm Primary School – Primaries 5-7

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

ENDS

Photo caption: (from L-R) Graeme Dickie, HSEQ Manager, Drax, Mark Dickie, Production Assistant, Drax, Competition winner Abbie Dickie and Leanne Pumpr, Head Ranger, Loch Ken Trust

Media contacts:

Kieran Wilson
E: kieran.wilson@drax.com 
T: 07729092807

About Drax

Drax’s purpose is to enable a zero carbon, lower cost energy future. Our strategic aims are to be a global leader in both carbon removals and sustainable biomass pellet production, and to be a UK leader in dispatchable, renewable generation.

Our operations

Drax owns and operates a portfolio of flexible, low-carbon and renewable UK power assets – biomass, hydro, and pumped storage generation – which provide dispatchable power and system support services to the electricity grid.

We are the UK’s largest source of renewable power by output, and Drax Power Station is the UK’s largest single source of renewable electricity by output.

Through our pellet production facilities in North America, Drax is the world’s second largest producer of sustainable biomass. Drax has 18 operational and development pellet production sites which will have a nameplate capacity of around 5.4 million tonnes once expansions are complete.

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

Our future

Drax is progressing options for carbon removals using bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) technology globally and at our UK biomass power station. We are progressing plans to develop 7 million tonnes of carbon removals through BECCS by 2030.

In 2024, we launched Elimini, a US-based company to lead our global efforts to deliver carbon removals at megaton scale. Elimini’s purpose is to remove carbon for good. To achieve this, it is convening engineers, environmentalists, communities, investors, and innovators to scale the market for carbon removals, with the aspiration of transforming our economies from carbon emitters to carbon removers. For more information, visit elimini.com.

Christmas cheer at Drax’s Skylark Centre

23 December 2024

News

Nearly 600 people attended the three-day event, which was organised by the Drax Visitor Centre team, with donation buckets raising £500 for the Yorkshire Swan Hospital.

The festive event gave visitors the chance to enjoy a wide variety of Christmas-themed activities, including arts, crafts and woodland trail activities. The highlight of the afternoon for many however, was the opportunity to meet Santa Claus, with children sharing their Christmas wishes and receiving a special gift from the man himself.

Jane Breach, Community Engagement & Visitor Centre Team Leader at Drax, said: “We were thrilled to once again welcome families to the Skylark Centre for a memorable festive experience and help raise money for Yorkshire Swan Hospital. The activities available offered communities local to Drax Power Station the opportunity to meet Father Christmas and experience a range of festive activities which were perfect for families.”

The festive fun at the Skylark Centre is part of Drax’s ongoing commitment to engaging with the local community and offering memorable experiences for families. For information on upcoming events at Drax and the Skylark Nature Reserve, visit our Facebook page or Drax Events page.

ENDS

Photo caption 1: Drax Unit Controller Steven Lyon and family enjoying Santa’s Grotto at the Skylark Centre Christmas event.

Media contacts:

Kieran Wilson
E: kieran.wilson@drax.com 
T: 07729092807

About Drax

Drax’s purpose is to enable a zero carbon, lower cost energy future. Our strategic aims are to be a global leader in both carbon removals and sustainable biomass pellet production, and to be a UK leader in dispatchable, renewable generation.

Our operations

Drax owns and operates a portfolio of flexible, low-carbon and renewable UK power assets – biomass, hydro, and pumped storage generation – which provide dispatchable power and system support services to the electricity grid.

We are the UK’s largest source of renewable power by output, and Drax Power Station is the UK’s largest single source of renewable electricity by output.

Through our pellet production facilities in North America, Drax is the world’s second largest producer of sustainable biomass. Drax has 18 operational and development pellet production sites which will have a nameplate capacity of around 5.4 million tonnes once expansions are complete.

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

Our future

Drax is progressing options for carbon removals using bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) technology globally and at our UK biomass power station. We are progressing plans to develop 7 million tonnes of carbon removals through BECCS by 2030.

In 2024, we launched Elimini, a US-based company to lead our global efforts to deliver carbon removals at megaton scale. Elimini’s purpose is to remove carbon for good. To achieve this, it is convening engineers, environmentalists, communities, investors, and innovators to scale the market for carbon removals, with the aspiration of transforming our economies from carbon emitters to carbon removers. For more information, visit elimini.com.