Archives: Press Release

Yorkshire gold – power station celebrates 50 years with train journey across iconic landmark

28 August 2024

News

Renewable power pioneer, Drax Group, unveiled the golden liveried Class 66 locomotive operated by GB Railfreight to mark the 50th anniversary of its eponymous power station near Selby, in North Yorkshire.

The train hauled 25 biomass wagons, including one with a matching golden wrap, across the famous Victorian viaduct on the scenic Settle-Carlisle line towards Tyne Dock, where they were filled with the sustainable biomass pellets the power station uses to generate enough reliable, renewable electricity to power four million UK homes.

Mark Gibbens, Head of Logistics at Drax said: “We are delighted to mark the 50th anniversary of Drax Power Station, and its role in keeping the lights on for millions of people in Yorkshire and the UK, through this train journey across the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct.

“Our partnerships with organisations such as GB Railfreight ensure that we can continue to contribute to the UK’s decarbonisation objectives and energy security with power from sustainable biomass.”

John Smith, CEO of GB Railfreight, said: “GB Railfreight has proudly supported Drax and the UK Government to produce low-carbon power for us all; driving jobs, warming homes and creating economic value across the country.

“To recognise the importance of our relationship with Drax and to celebrate their 50th anniversary, we gave them the perfect gift to mark the occasion – a gold locomotive.”

Drax has also commemorated its special anniversary with a series of charter trains that carried passengers around the Drax Power Station rail loop to raise money for charity.

The event, in partnership with GB Railfreight and others, raised over £30,000 for Martin House, a charity that provides hospice care for children and young people with life-limiting illnesses across West, North and East Yorkshire.

GBRf’s Golden Locomotive 66301 was named “Drax Power Station 50” during the day by Drax Ops Director Bruce Heppenstall and two of the companies longest serving employees.  Along with the naming ceremony, passengers were transported around the power station and had the opportunity to see locomotives that have moved materials to Drax Power Station throughout its 50-year history.

Drax Power Station began producing power in 1974, and Yorkshire’s railways have played a critical role in the site’s supply chain and its continuing role in UK energy security.

When Drax opened it was the UK’s largest coal-fired power station and trainloads of coal were taken from the region’s mines to supply it. Today, the plant uses sustainable biomass, and the company’s rail freight partners transport the compressed wood pellets from ports across Northern England to Drax Power Station – the UK’s largest renewable power producer by output.

Drax currently holds a fleet of 255 IIA-D rail wagons, which were specially developed to transport biomass in 2014 and manufactured locally in Mansfield.

The conversion of the power station from coal to using biomass has paved the way for Drax to develop its plans to deploy the vital carbon dioxide removal technology, bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) – a technology which can permanently remove millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to reverse the harmful effects of climate change.

Drax aims to install BECCS on two of its biomass generating units supporting the UK government’s ambition to have a net zero electricity system by 2030.

ENDS

Media contacts:

Kieran Wilson
Media Manager
E: [email protected]
T: 07729092807

Editor notes

Earlier this year the Secretary of State for the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, granted Drax a development consent order for its BECCS plans at Drax Power Station, marking a major milestone in the project’s delivery.

Drax Power Station contributes £358m per year to the economy of Yorkshire and the Humber, employing more than 700 people and supporting over 4,200 jobs in the area.

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

Bright sparks – Drax welcomes new generation of renewable energy engineers

27 August 2024

News

The talented youngsters are joining the company’s technical apprenticeship scheme at Drax Power Station, near Selby, in North Yorkshire. The plant is the UK’s single-largest generator of renewable power, producing enough renewable electricity for around four million homes.

The four-year programme gives new recruits the opportunity to gain expertise working alongside the world-class engineers at the power station. The plant has been transformed over the last decade as part of Europe’s largest decarbonisation project, swapping coal to generate renewable electricity using sustainable biomass.

Drax has ambitious plans to go even further in the years ahead, aiming to become carbon negative by using bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) technology. The project would see the site capture up to 8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide every year.

One of the apprentices who is excited to start her career at Drax is Keeley Sheldon, 17, from nearby Selby.

“I have a great interest in engineering and wanted to pursue this as my career,” she said. “I made an application to Drax knowing that this would be a great company to work for.”

Keeley isn’t fazed about entering an industry which has traditionally been dominated by men.

She added: “I know being female and going into this career will be a challenge which I’m looking forward to and to want to break the stereotype label and know Drax will be an excellent employer to help me do this. Drax is well known both locally and globally so being given this opportunity is amazing and I’m excited to get started and for my future in engineering.”

The apprentices beginning their careers at Drax Power Station this year are:

  • Joe Morgan 16 – Doncaster
  • Josh Afford 17 – Knottingley
  • Harris Kitchen 18 – Wakefield
  • Keeley Sheldon 17 – Selby
  • Charlie Haller 16 – Snaith

Bruce Heppenstall, Drax Power Station Plant Director, said:

“It was fantastic to welcome our latest group of apprentices to Drax Power Station. They are an extremely talented group of young people and I’m so pleased they have chosen to take their first steps in their engineering careers with Drax.

“The plant is pioneering carbon capture and storage technology and these young apprentices could one day be working at the world’s first carbon negative power station. By giving them the engineering skills today, we are ensuring they are ready to take full advantage of the opportunities of tomorrow.”

In addition to engineering roles, Drax also offers apprenticeships in business support areas such as HR, IT, and facilities departments.

ENDS

Media contacts:

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

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 Power Station rail event raises £30,000 for children’s hospice

19 August 2024

News

In partnership with DB Cargo, GB Railfreight, Freightliner Heavy Haul, and the Branch Line Society, the rail event saw three unique passenger train services operate on the Drax Power Station loop on Saturday 17th August, a route which is ordinarily restricted to freight trains for the transportation of biomass.

Passengers were given the opportunity to ride onboard the special service, with each train using a different route around the power station and all profits from the event donated to Martin House Children’s Hospice.

Mark Gibbens, Head of Logistics at Drax said: “We are proud to partner with all of the main freight operators and the Branch Line Society for this historic charter rail event, to mark the Golden Anniversary of Drax Power Station.

“The weekend’s tours raised much needed funds for Martin House Children’s Hospice, a charity that is close to our hearts at Drax. Every year Martin House cares for more than 440 children and their families, as well as around 150 bereaved families, and events such as this allow them to continue their vital work in local communities.”

Michelle Ford, Regional Fundraising Team Manager at Martin House Children’s Hospice said: “We are absolutely delighted to have once again worked with Drax on this historic event, alongside the Charter Train Team.  We are incredibly grateful for their ongoing, invaluable support, which helps us to make a difference to the lives of so many children, young people and their families, when they need us most.  A huge thank you to everyone who has made this brilliant event possible, it means so much to all of us.”

Rail has played an important role in operations at DPS since the power station came online in 1974. Locomotives that have moved materials to the station throughout its 50-year history were also on display during the event. The event included naming ceremonies that took place at York Station and Hensall, where two of the current class 66 locomotives which supply Drax Power Station were named ‘Yorkshire Rose’ and ‘Drax Power Station 50’.

Drax Power Station contributes £358m per year to the economy of Yorkshire and the Humber, employing more than 700 people and supporting over 4,200 jobs in the area.

ENDS

Media contacts:

Kieran Wilson
Media Manager
E: [email protected]
T: 07729092807

Editor notes

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

Drax Foundation donates £300k to combat UK fuel poverty

6 August 2024

News

The Drax Foundation, the corporate foundation of the renewable energy company Drax Group (Drax), has donated £300,000 to three organisations dedicated to addressing fuel poverty in the UK.

The new funding from the Foundation will help to support those affected by household energy insecurity in areas across the UK in which Drax operates.

Fuel Bank Foundation (£100,000):

The Fuel Bank Foundation is an independent charity that aims to support families who pay in advance for energy.

The grant will focus on extending the charity’s presence around the communities in which Drax operates. 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.

Argyll, Lomond and the Islands Energy Agency (ALIenergy) (£100,000):

ALIenergy operates in the Argyll and Bute region of Scotland – home to Drax’s pumped hydro storage power station at Cruachan. The charity promotes sustainable energy use and renewable energy generation, to reduce carbon emissions and address fuel poverty.

The grant will provide the charity with funds to roll out its STEM Energy Education programme to cover the whole of Argyll and Bute. The programme aims to encourage school pupils to take up STEM subjects with STEM related activities and events The education scheme covers STEM subjects generally alongside a focus on energy efficiency, renewable and sustainable energy for secondary school pupils.

National Energy Action (NEA) (£95,000):

NEA is the national charity seeking to end fuel poverty, working across the UK with its sister charity Energy Action Scotland, to ensure that everyone can afford to live in a warm, dry home.

NEA will utilise funding from the Drax Foundation to develop and deliver an education programme across the UK in areas where both NEA and Drax operate. The programme will be primarily targeted at secondary schools, as well as schools and academies with alternative provisions, to provide young people with information about keeping warm and safe at home, how they can use energy wisely and how they can reduce CO2 emissions.

Shona King, Head of Community, Drax said: “These grants build upon the Drax Foundation’s strong record in supporting the communities where we operate. The £300,000 in grants for NEA, ALIenergy and Fuel Bank Foundation will help to address the critical issue of fuel poverty within the communities where we operate by providing education for school students, financial support for those in need and provisions for those in isolated off-grid homes.”

Drax Foundation funding is available for organisations ranging from smaller community-led projects to larger grants of up to £100,000 for established non-profit organisations.

Priority is given to organisations that deliver programmes for under-served and under-represented groups, advance gender equality and support indigenous communities. 

Organisations and initiatives that meet Drax’s funding and selection criteria are encouraged to visit www.drax.com/community to learn more about the Foundation and submit an initial expression of interest. The Foundation is already accepting applications for 2024’s second round of funding.

The Drax Foundation is a donor advised fund administered by the Charities Trust (an independently registered charity with the UK Charity Commission, charity no. 327489

Editor notes:

Media contact

Kieran Wilson
Media Manager
E: [email protected]
T: 07729092807

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 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

To find out more information about the Drax Foundation go to the website www.drax.com/community

About Fuel Bank Foundation

The Fuel Bank Foundation (FBF) is an independent charity that aims to support families who pay in advance for energy, typically via a prepayment energy meter and are at risk of self-disconnection or severe rationing or have self-disconnected. We also provide support to those not connected to the mains gas grid, and therefore, rely on unregulated fuels such as heating oil, LPG and wood.

We have developed a network of over 750 quality partners across the country who act as an entry point into Fuel Bank. A mix of national bodies and local, community-based organisations, they identify households in Fuel Crisis, that is where there is no money to fund energy and so the household is rationing what they use, or worse, living without. These families are referred into Fuel Bank, need verified and provided with sameback on and the gas reflowing by tea- We provide around 10 day’s worth of support which acts as the enabler for the relevant and easy-to-access energy advice we provide to give additional support and to lower household money spent on energy. The model reduces the propensity for referral into the fuel bank.

About National Energy Action

National Energy Action (NEA) is the national charity seeking to end fuel poverty. NEA works across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and with our sister charity Energy Action Scotland, to ensure that everyone can afford to live in a warm, dry home. In partnership with central and local government, fuel utilities, housing providers, consumer groups and voluntary organisations, NEA carries out activities to address the causes and treat the symptoms of fuel poverty. These include:

  • Campaigning to ensure that the needs of fuel-poor households are recognised and addressed
  • Researching and analysing the causes and extent of fuel poverty and developing policies which will address the problem
  • Developing and managing demonstration projects – through the Innovation & Technical Department – that show innovative ways of tackling fuel poverty
  • Providing advice and guidance to installers on good practice in delivering energy efficiency services to lowincome households
  • Developing national qualifications and managing their implementation to improve practical work standards and energy advice quality NEA’s work encompasses all aspects of fuel poverty, emphasising the importance of greater investment in domestic energy efficiency. We believe passionately that everyone has the fundamental right to live in a warm, healthy, and affordable home, regardless of income or circumstance.

About Argyll, Lomond and the Islands Energy Agency (ALIenergy)

ALIenergy works to promote sustainable energy use and renewable energy generation, to reduce carbon emissions and address fuel poverty.

Our vision is a world where everyone lives sustainably, carbon emissions have been cut to safe levels and no individuals live in fuel poverty without access to affordable energy.

Our goal is to improve public knowledge of, and engagement in, renewable energy and energy efficiency issues, so that more people take action in their lives to increase energy saving, become involved with renewable energy initiatives and move towards a sustainable, low carbon future.  Our mission is to promote sustainable energy use and generation to the benefit of individuals, communities and the local economy, and to combat fuel poverty. Our activities fall within three main areas: Affordable Warmth and Alleviating Fuel Poverty Education and Skills Development Community Renewables and Local Energy Economy

DB Cargo UK delivers HVO-powered services for Drax

5 August 2024

News

Drax Group, the UK’s leading producer of renewable energy, has taken the decision to switch to the 100% renewable fuel as part of its ongoing programme to reduce its carbon footprint.

DB Cargo UK, currently transports around 4.5 million tonnes of biomass pellets to Drax Power Station each year, operating around 60 trains a week – approximately 3,000 trains a year – to the site.

It is estimated that by switching from traditional red diesel to HVO will reduce rail freight carbon emissions by up to 90%, saving over 12,000 tonnes of carbon each year equivalent to 30 million miles worth of car journeys1.

The DB Cargo trains powered on HVO will provide around 57% of Drax’s total biomass, helping the global energy leader produce enough renewable electricity to power almost 2.3m homes, equivalent to all of the households in Yorkshire and the Humber.

HVO is marketed as ‘one of the world’s purest and greenest fuels.’ It is synthetically made through the hydro-treatment process from vegetable oils or animal fats which significantly reduces harmful carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions when used in diesel vehicles and machinery.

It is derived from 100% waste products and no virgin products are used in its manufacture.

DB Cargo UK’s Chief Sales Officer Roger Neary said the decision by Drax to adopt the use of HVO in its trains was a win-win for both companies.

“The Government had set the rail industry a stretching target to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and remove all diesel only traction by 2040 so the use of HVO in our trains will go a long way to helping us meet that challenge,” said Roger.

“At the same time, it will help Drax meet its own sustainability targets and minimise its impact on the environment,” added Roger.

Roger concluded that ‘Until a firm commitment is made to electrification of the UK network, HVO is the only credible solution to rail freight decarbonisation. More services could be operated with HVO if the right policies and incentives were in place to enable more customers to make the switch.’

Rail freight is critical to the power station’s supply chain, transporting large volumes of biomass pellets to the plant which produces around 8% of the UK’s renewable power.

Bruce Heppenstall, Plant Director at Drax Power Station, said rail freight was already a more sustainable method of transporting the pellets than road, taking some 192,000 HGVs off the UK’s network each year.

“We are proud that DB Cargo’s HVO powered trains, service Drax Power Station. We are committed to decarbonising our supply chains and, through deploying the carbon removals technology, bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, we aim to become a carbon negative business.

“Drax Power Station uses high volumes of biomass to keep the lights on for millions of homes across the UK. Rail freight is a cleaner and greener option for transporting this material and our partnership with DB Cargo prevents thousands of additional journeys by HGVs across the UK’s road network.”

1 Based on figures from Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator

Media contacts:

Andy Low
Media Manager
E: [email protected]
T: 07841 068 415

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 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.

Drax Foundation funds installation of solar panels at Selby school

10 July 2024

News

Selby is home to Drax Power Station and the funding for the panels comes from a £4.5m pot that Foundation has put in place to support UK schools and community-led organisations to become more energy efficient.

The new solar panels were fitted by the specialist solar installation company, Low Carbon Energy, and they will help Barwic Parade save around £3,400 a year on their energy bills and reduce their carbon emissions by 4.4 tonnes per annum.

Drax Foundation has previously funded the installation of solar panels at Abington Vale Primary School, Northampton, and will be funding a similar project at Kirk Sandall Junior School in Doncaster later this Summer.

Jane Breach, Drax’s UK Community and Education Manager, said:

“The Drax Foundation continues to give back to the communities that Drax operates in. We are proud to have funded the installation of solar panels at Barwic Parade. This schools sits right on the doorstep of Drax Power Station in Selby.

“We are committed to being a good neighbour to people who live and work next to our sites and working with partners, like Low Carbon Energy, means we can help local schools and community organisations become more energy efficient and reduce their impact on the planet.”

Sarah Dixon, Barwic Parade Community Primary School’s Headteacher, said:

“We were delighted to receive the support from The Drax Foundation to install solar panels at Barwic Parade Community Primary School.

“This investment in our school not only makes it greener and more sustainable in terms of its energy usage but should also allow us to use our limited budget to enrich and enhance our children’s experiences.

“Given the school’s demographics, Drax’s donation means more than simply installing solar panels, indirectly their donation helps every single family in the Barwic Community. We are again, very grateful to receive the support of the Drax Foundation.”​

Media contacts:

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

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 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

To find out more information about the Drax Foundation go to the website www.drax.com/community

ENDS

New ‘Hollow Mountain’ power station moves forward to important design stage

8 July 2024

News

The proposed 600 MW underground plant would be constructed underground adjacent to Drax’s existing Cruachan facility near Oban in Scotland. Exploratory ground works are currently underway at the site, with seismic surveys being undertaken to provide crucial geological data about the rock in which the new plant would be housed inside.

As part of its development of the project, Drax has appointed Voith Hydro to complete a Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) study for the Mechanical and Electrical components of the design. This work will produce a series of comprehensive reports, data and models that will provide a well-defined project scope, design, cost estimate, and schedule, enabling informed decision-making and reducing uncertainties before proceeding to the detailed engineering, procurement, and construction phases.

This is a major milestone as Drax harnesses Voith’s expertise and engineering technology to progress and optimise the design of the new Cruachan power station.

Drax’s proposals received development consent from the Scottish Government last year, but the project’s continued progression requires an updated policy and market support mechanism from the UK Government. Despite their critical role in decarbonisation, no new pumped storage hydro plants have been constructed in the UK since 1984 due to the current lack of a suitable framework. Earlier this year, the UK Government launched a consultation on its plans to introduce a new framework which could unlock billions of pounds worth of private investment in the technology.

Steve Marshall, Drax’s Development Manager, said: “A new generation of pumped storage hydro plants will strengthen the UK’s energy security by enabling more homegrown renewable electricity to come online to power homes and businesses across the country. Drax’s plan to build a new plant at Cruachan will support hundreds of jobs and provide a real boost to the Scottish economy

“With the project granted development consent from the Scottish Government, we hope the next UK Government will continue policy development in this area at pace to enable a new generation of pumped storage plants to come online as possible.

Stefan Linhart, Project Manager at Voith Hydro, said: “We at Voith Hydro are highly committed to the Cruachan 2 project and feel honoured to have been nominated by Drax for the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED). As a full-line supplier for hydropower technology we are looking forward to bringing our extensive experience in the field of pumped storage.

“The constructive and professional collaboration with Drax and other project partners is key to achieve our common goal: a power plant that meets the latest standards in performance and safety.”

Increasing the country’s pumped storage hydro capacity is critical to enabling more renewable power to come online, strengthening the country’s energy security whilst helping the UK to decarbonise.

In addition to its plans to build a new power station, Drax is currently completing an £80 million upgrade to the existing plant. The 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.

ENDS

Media contacts:

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

Drax launches new £30k schools transport fund to support STEM visits to its UK sites

2 July 2024

News, Press releases

The new fund supports the work Drax’s charitable entity, Drax Foundation, does to get young people to develop their science technology engineering and maths (STEM) skills.

Drax has allocated £20,000 for educational STEM visits to Drax Power Station in North Yorkshire and a further £10,000 for its Scottish sites, Cruachan and Tongland hydro stations.

Rockfield Primary School and Rockfield Gaelic Primary Schools, two separate schools which share the same campus in Oban, were among the first schools to use the fund, taking a total of 94 schoolchildren to Cruachan.

During the visit the pupils learned about the construction of the Hollow Mountain power station and the vital role pumped hydro storage sites play in generating renewable power and supporting energy security.

Providing schools meet the qualifying criteria, including being sited within 15 miles of a Drax power station and having at least 20% of their pupils being on free school meals, they can apply for transport grants of up to £500 online. Drax hopes schools will apply for the funding for the new school year in September.

Shona King, Drax’s Head of Community, said: “We are delighted to announce the launch of our schools’ transport fund, this will ensure that pupils, including those from less privileged backgrounds, can participate in STEM focused trips to our sites throughout the UK.

“Our visits team plays a key role in educating young people on how we keep the lights on by generating renewable power that is used by millions of homes and businesses.

“We hope that visits to iconic sites, like Drax Power Station and Cruachan, and learning how they operate can inspire the next generation of engineers. We are actively encouraging applications for the fund and would like to see more schools coming to our power stations in the autumn.”

Elaine Campbell, Deputy Head Teacher at Rockfield Primary School and Rockfield Gaelic Primary School, said: “We were so pleased to have our visits to Cruachan Power Station funded by Drax. The children thoroughly enjoyed their trips to the Hollow Mountain and learned so much about the important role the power station plays in generating renewable power when the wind doesn’t blow and the sun doesn’t shine. We hope to take more classes of students to the site during the next school year.”

Notes to Editors:

Media contacts:

Andy Low
Media Manager
E: [email protected]
T: 07841 068 415

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 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

To find out more information about the Drax Foundation go to the website www.drax.com/community

Drax Foundation gives £500k to boost STEM education, support communities and reduce energy poverty

18 June 2024

News
  • Latest donation of over £500k for projects in the UK, supporting 4,000 vulnerable people with their energy bills, enabling 3,100 children to access STEM education, and helping 240 schools become more energy efficient.
  • This includes six UK projects that are sited near to where Drax Group operates in England and Scotland.
  • This £500k funding is part of an overall £886k to support our communities in the UK, US and Canada.

The Drax Foundation, the charitable entity of renewable energy company Drax Group (Drax), has donated £505,070 to six non-profit organisations across the regions where it operates in England and Scotland.

Energy Sparks, is an energy education charity that works with schools and pupils to understand energy usage and saving through real life data from their school.

Shona King, Drax’s Head of Community, said:

“The Drax Foundation has a proud track record of giving back to the communities where we operate. This latest round of donations will make a tangible difference to communities in England and Scotland. The projects we are supporting range from restoring ancient hedgerows in Northampton to helping young people from rural communities in Argyll to build their Science Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM) skills.”

The Drax Foundation operates in the UK, USA and Canada. It is focused on funding initiatives that deliver education and skills development in STEM, those that improve green spaces and enhance biodiversity within local communities and improve access to renewable energy and energy efficiency in areas of low social mobility.

Shona continued:

“Last year we launched the Drax Foundation and we are excited about the opportunity to build on the progress we have made to ensure that more people can develop their STEM skills, have access to quality local green spaces, and be lifted out of fuel poverty through access to affordable renewable energy, and energy efficiency measures”.

England:

In England, the Foundation has donated a total of £227,000 across three projects including:

  • Canal & River Trust, £27,500, Northampton: The Canal & River Trust is the charity looking after 2,000 miles of historic waterways across England and Wales. The Foundation’s funding will enable the Trust to run a programme restoring ancient hedgerows in Northampton, mobilising a volunteer programme including training in hedge laying techniques.
  • Energy Sparks, £150,000, England: Energy Sparks, is an energy education charity. The Foundation’s funding will increase the number of schools which can access Energy Sparks free of charge.  Energy Sparks works with schools and pupils to understand energy usage and saving through real life data from their school.
  • Project: WILD C.I.C, £49,500, Selby: Project: WILD C.I.C is a not-for-profit social enterprise dedicated to addressing declining biodiversity in Yorkshire and supporting young people with mental illnesses. The Foundation’s funding will see the social enterprise deliver its ‘Eco Leaders’ project to increase understanding of local green spaces with young people in the Selby area.

Project: WILD C.I.C is a not-for-profit social enterprise dedicated to addressing declining biodiversity in Yorkshire and supporting young people with mental illnesses.

Scotland:

In Scotland, the Foundation has donated a total of £178,068 across three projects including:

  • Argyll Countryside Trust (ACT), £40,556, Argyll: ACT exists to sustainably maintain, enhance and promote the coast and countryside of Argyll and the Isles. The Foundation’s funding will help the Trust increase their nature-based STEM learning for rural children, and provide training for local teachers.
  • Argyll, Lomond & the Islands Energy Efficiency Agency (ALIenergy), £100,000, Argyll: ALIenergy works to promote sustainable energy use and renewable energy generation, to address fuel poverty and reduce carbon emissions. The Foundation’s funding will pay for one of the organisation’s experienced affordable warmth advisors for a year and fund one Education Officer staff costs for a year to deliver STEM education to schools.
  • Kirkcudbright Dark Space Ltd, £37,512, Dumfries & Galloway: Kirkcudbright Dark Space operates a planetarium in Kirkcudbright which hosts space focused science and technology exhibitions. The Foundation’s funding will fund the planetarium’s education coordinator role and increase the number of schools being able to access the site alongside supporting with some maintenance costs.

Argyll Countryside Trust (ACT) exists to sustainably maintain, enhance and promote the coast and countryside of Argyll and the Isles.

Alongside its donations in England and Scotland the Foundation is providing £100,000 to the Fuel Bank Foundation which will support 3,600 vulnerable people across the UK with help with their energy bills and advice on energy efficiency measures.

Drax Foundation funding is available for organisations ranging from smaller community-led projects to larger grants of up to £100,000 for established non-profit organisations.

Priority is given to organisations that deliver programmes for under-served and under-represented groups, advance gender equality and support indigenous communities. 

Organisations and initiatives that meet Drax’s funding and selection criteria are encouraged to visit www.drax.com/community to learn more about the Foundation and submit an initial expression of interest. The Foundation is already accepting applications for 2024’s second round of funding.

The Drax Foundation is a donor advised fund administered by the Charities Trust (an independently registered charity with the UK Charity Commission, charity no. 327489

Notes to Editors:

Media contacts: 

Andy Low
Media Manager
E: [email protected]
T: 07841 068 415

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 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

To find out more information about the Drax Foundation go to the website www.drax.com/community

ENDS