Tag: Tongland

Historic Tongland Power Station restored following £2 million refurbishment

7 July 2026

News

One of Scotland’s oldest hydroelectric power stations has been given a new lease of life following a £2 million refurbishment by Drax, helping preserve the historic facility for future generations. Tongland Power Station, near Kirkcudbright in Scotland, is part of the Galloway Hydro Scheme which was developed in the 1930s.

The power station is one of six hydroelectric facilities within the Galloway Hydro Scheme, a network of dams, reservoirs and power stations stretching across Dumfries and Galloway. Together they have provided renewable electricity to Scotland for generations.

The project saw the power station’s exterior carefully restored using specialist materials designed to protect and preserve the historic building for decades to come. Special measures to protect the power station during the construction work were put in place, with Tongland designated as a Category A listed building by Historic Environment Scotland due to its importance in the development of hydropower and its “finely detailed modernist classical design”.

In addition to the work to the building’s external façade, Drax has revamped the site’s exhibition space within the main station building to enable the power station to once again host school tours. Further work to the building’s internal paint work will be carried out this year.

Ian Kinnaird, Drax’s FlexGen Assets Director, said: “The Galloway Hydro Scheme has been generating flexible, renewable electricity for 90 years, and this major refurbishment means it will continue to do so for many more years to come.

“This was a complex project, with great care taken by Drax and our contracting partners to protect this historic building during the work. Tongland has been part of Scotland’s energy story for almost a century, so everyone involved should feel incredibly proud to see it looking as good as new.”

The completion of Tongland’s external refurbishment is part of a wider investment in Scotland by Drax. The company is currently installing around 1,500 solar panels across its Galloway and Lanark hydro schemes, completing an £80m upgrade of its iconic ‘Hollow Mountain’ Cruachan Power Station, and work will soon start on an upgrade at its Glenlee site.

ENDS

Media contact

Aidan Kerr
E: [email protected]

About Drax

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

Our operations

Drax owns and operates a portfolio of flexible, low-carbon and renewable UK power assets – biomass, hydro, pumped storage and OCGT 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 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.

Website: www.drax.com

Drax supports next generation of electrical and mechanical technicians through hands-on apprenticeship opportunities

22 October 2025

News

In August this year, a new cohort of apprentices joined Drax Power Station and the company’s Scottish operations, taking part in a comprehensive five-day induction programme designed to help them transition into working life and understand Drax’s role in powering a net zero future.

The induction included essential safety and business training, introductions with managers and mentors, site tours, and sessions with Drax leaders about the company’s past, present and future. Apprentices also learned about Drax’s values, behaviours and People Positive commitments, including diversity, equity and inclusion, health and wellbeing, and community engagement.

Following the induction, apprentices began their technical training with Drax’s two partner education providers, where they are developing essential hand skills and engineering knowledge. Once complete, they will return to site to continue learning on the job, supported by a dedicated Drax development curriculum created by the company’s Early Careers, Learning & Development, and Technical Training teams.

“Our apprentices are the future of Drax and the UK energy sector,” said Lisa Marriott, Early Careers Development Manager at Drax.

“We’re proud to support young people from across Scotland, Yorkshire and beyond, providing them with the technical training, mentoring and real-world experience needed to help shape a cleaner and safer energy system.”

As part of its ongoing commitment to career development, Drax also continues to support its Year 2 Technical Apprentices, who have rejoined their operational teams to apply their learning and further enhance their technical and professional skills through hands-on experience.

Drax’s apprenticeship programmes provide a valuable route into the energy industry for local students and young people, combining formal education with practical experience, mentoring and structured career development.

To learn more about apprenticeship and early careers opportunities at Drax, visit www.drax.com/careers.

ENDS

Media contacts:

Kieran Wilson
E: [email protected]
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.

Drax is the UK’s largest source of renewable power by output, and one of the largest producers of sustainable biomass globally. Drax is progressing options for carbon removals using bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) technology. For more information on our power generation, pellet production, and retail energy solutions operations, visit drax.com.

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. For more information, visit elimini.com.