Drax November 2024 Newsletter
In our November LinkedIn newsletter, we look back on a busy month at Drax and share some of our highlights.
As Drax Power Station celebrates 50 years of operating, we’ve collaborated with the Yorkshire Post to create a three-part series all about the past 50 years of Drax. Through a series of interviews, key stakeholders outline Drax’s history and its vital role in UK energy security, developing jobs and skills and the future of decarbonisation.
With thanks to our colleagues: Bruce Heppenstall , Angela Hepworth , Richard Gwilliam , Alex Swift , Ben Shingler , Jane Breach , Laura Baker , Nick Robinson , as well as Sam Wright ( Heart of Yorkshire Education Group ) and Diana Taylor ( Future Humber ).
⬇️ Watch episode 1 about energy security below, or view the full series here. #ad
NESO’s Clean Power 2030 report highlights the need for biomass, BECCS and pumped storage hydro: ⚡
National Energy System Operator (NESO) has published a new report, outlining the pathways to meeting the UK’s climate targets. Drax’s secure biomass generation, and our intention to double the capacity of our pumped hydro site, Cruachan Power Station, are essential components of these pathways.
Plus, NESO highlights that the deployment of BECCS is required to meet the Government’s carbon removal targets. At Drax, we aim to install at least two units of BECCS at Drax Power Station, with the first operational in 2030 removing 4 million tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere per year.
At Drax, we believe that open communication and transparency are the keys to building stronger relationships with our stakeholders and the communities where we operate. We're committed to sharing a unique look into what goes on inside our plants, so you can be better informed and learn more about us.
We’re delighted to have released our first “Plant Snapshot” video at our Amite pellet plant in Gloster – you can take a look around the facility and learn more about how a wood pellet is made.
⬇️ Watch part 1 below or catch up on the full series here.
We’ve appointed globally renowned hydro engineering consultants, COWI and PINI, to optimise our plans to build the UK’s first new pumped storage hydro plant in almost 40 years. We have plans to expand our existing Cruachan pumped storage facility in Scotland through the construction of a new 600MW power station, which would more than double the site’s total generation capacity.
➡️ Learn more.
What is needed to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 in the EU?: 🗞️
In a new article from The Parliament magazine, our Head of Public Affairs (EU and Asia), Katarzyna (Kasia) Wilk , and Lídia Pereira MEP, outline the steps the EU needs to take to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
They discuss the crucial role carbon removal technologies, such as BECCS, play - enabling us to remove carbon from the atmosphere while also generating stable, renewable power. Plus, they’re clear about the need for a strategic shift to ensure the necessary framework and funding is in place. #ad
This year, we marked Remembrance Day by lighting up one of our cooling towers at Drax Power Station in Yorkshire.
Bruce Heppenstall, Plant Director at Drax Power Station, said: “We are proud to continue supporting the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal, and this projection is our way of honouring the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.”
We recently asked members of the local community: What does Cruachan Power Station mean to you? From providing opportunities, to stimulating growth, to generating clean power, we’re proud to play a positive role in our communities.
With our plans to expand Cruachan, we will continue supporting our communities for generations to come.
We’re offering a brand-new coding club for girls at Selby Community Primary School in Yorkshire to encourage the next generation of women in STEM. In the club, students will learn coding by creating and programming interactive projects.
We’re proud to promote STEM education among young girls – a key part of our long-term community engagement strategy.
➡️ Learn more.
If you’re interested in joining us on our journey to create a zero carbon, lower cost energy future, take a look at our careers page to learn more.
To stay up to date with everything Drax, visit our website.
Retired Alchemist
8moWhy are you still saying, when you have 1 unit with CC&S by 2030 you will remove 4million tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere? If you can't manage to get the simple things correct in your propaganda what faith can we have in the more complex information you disclose!