Drax Group plc has today published a briefing paper on biomass, which makes the case that biomass could and should play a far greater role in the UK’s efforts to cut CO2 emissions.

‘Biomass: the fourth energy source’ sets out the many benefits of electricity generation from biomass and makes four commitments that, with the right policy framework, Drax will deliver. The paper says Drax will:

• Begin engineering design work on one of its coal-fired generating units to demonstrate full conversion to biomass;

• Move forward, in partnership with Siemens Project Ventures, to develop three 290MW dedicated biomass-fired power plants;

• Optimise the amount of biomass co-fired with coal at Drax Power Station; and

• Burn only sustainable biomass which is fully compliant with robust criteria on greenhouse gas life cycle savings, environmental and social considerations.

To realise these commitments, a suitable policy framework will need to be developed. Drax is looking to the Government and Ofgem to facilitate the demonstration of full conversion of a coal-fired generating unit to biomass, to guarantee the level of the support given to dedicated biomass plants, and to review the level of support for co-firing regular biomass and remove the cap on co-firing.

A commitment to begin engineering design work to convert one of Drax’s coal-fired generating units to run solely on biomass is a UK first. Successfully converting one of Drax’s generating units to biomass is a potential double win - it would take coal out of the energy mix and deliver large scale, cost effective, secure and reliable renewable power.

Conversion is part of a comprehensive package of options being progressed by Drax. With ambitious and challenging renewables and CO2 targets to meet, and the reduction of generation capacity between now and 2020, there is also a need for new secure and reliable renewable capacity. Guarantees on future support levels for new dedicated biomass plants will improve investor confidence and allow Drax, and other developers, to push ahead with plans for new plants.

Throughout the transition towards a low carbon economy it is also important to encourage existing coal-fired plants to be as clean as possible through co-firing biomass with coal. The current level of support, as well as existing constraints, need to be reviewed to optimise this carbon abatement opportunity.

The briefing paper also commits Drax to continue to burn only sustainable biomass which is essential in delivering the significant carbon reduction for each unit of electricity produced from biomass compared to fossil fuels.

Dorothy Thompson, Chief Executive of Drax said:

“Biomass: the fourth energy source sets out the need for a balanced renewable energy mix, including making the most of the environmentally beneficial and cost effective opportunities biomass provides. Biomass is the earth’s fourth most plentiful energy resource. For years it has provided more electricity in the UK than any other renewable resource, but electricity generation from biomass has not increased in recent years due to certain limitations in the policy framework.

“Electricity generation from biomass has the potential to grow significantly and make a vital contribution to meeting the UK’s challenging renewables and climate change targets at least cost to UK consumers. This will only happen with the right policy framework.”

Notes to editors
1. Drax owns and operates Drax Power Station, the largest, cleanest and most efficient coal fired power station in the UK. The output capacity from the station’s six generators is 4,000MW. At current output levels it meets some 7% of the UK’s electricity needs. Through its retail arm, Haven Power, the electricity needs of over 25,000 business customers are met.

2. Drax Power Station has been burning a proportion of renewable biomass fuel alongside coal for a number of years and has recently commissioned a new co-firing facility increasing the capability for co-firing to 500MW, or 12.5% of the total output. This makes Drax Power Station the largest co-firing facility in the world, with the capability to save over 2.5 million tonnes of CO2 emissions each year, through the displacement of coal.

3. Drax is also undertaking the largest steam turbine upgrade project in UK history at Drax Power Station, which will increase the power station’s efficiency and save an additional one million tonnes of CO2 a year.

4. In October 2008, Drax announced its intention to develop three 290MW dedicated biomass plants in a £2 billion partnership with Siemens Project Ventures.

5. If you require further information please contact Stephanie Blott on 020 7618 9100.