Archives: Press Release

Drax and Loch Ken Trust strengthen partnership to deliver water safety and sustainability in Dumfries and Galloway

10 September 2025

News

Now entering its second year of a three-year commitment, the partnership has already expanded opportunities for young people to learn practical skills outdoors, strengthened safety on and around Loch Ken, and helped communities plan for the future.

In its first year, the partnership supported the launch and expansion of the Loch Ken Youth Water Safety Programme, which aims to ensure no young person leaves school without hands-on water safety training.

A total of 24 sessions were delivered to local schools and youth organisations including Dalbeattie High School, Wallacehall Academy, Castle Douglas High School, Kirkcudbright Academy, Kirkcudbright Sea Cadets and Dumfries Disability Sports. In total, 209 young people received training, with the programme winning praise from local MSP Emma Harper and being showcased in national guidance published by Water Safety Scotland. The Galloway Activity Centre was also awarded Paddle Award UK accreditation for its role in the delivery of the sessions, underlining the programme’s quality and impact.

The partnership also enabled Loch Ken Trust to provide an additional 260 ranger hours during peak season, including funding for a seasonal ranger to ensure patrol coverage across the summer months. This increase has improved visitor engagement, enhanced safety and helped protect the natural environment around Loch Ken.

Lindsay Stewart, Lock Ken Trust Manager said: “The support from Drax has been transformative. It’s enabled us to expand our water safety programme, grow our ranger service, and connect more young people with nature. Together, we’re making a real difference for local communities and the environment.”

As the partnership continues, both organisations remain committed to building on early successes and delivering a long-term positive impact for people and the natural environment of Dumfries and Galloway.

Education has been another major success of the partnership, with six sessions held for local primary schools and youth groups such as Crossmichael Primary, Dalry Primary, Glenkens Youth Group and Glenkens Cubs. More than 100 children took part in activities ranging from campfire safety and responsible camping to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and invasive species awareness. Higher and further education students also benefitted, with 25 undergraduates and postgraduates from universities including Glasgow, Teesside, Lancaster and Exeter visiting the site for case studies and fieldwork on cold water shock, ecosystem monitoring and community sustainability.

“This partnership is a great example of how Drax works with local organisations to deliver on the goals set out in our sustainability framework.”, said Sarah Baird, Drax Community Manager for Scotland

“By supporting Loch Ken Trust, we’re helping to improve safety, resilience and environmental awareness in communities close to our operations. The first year has already achieved so much, and we’re excited to see what more can be delivered in year two” she added.

The partnership has also helped build resilience across the Glenkens, working with local organisations such as the Castle Douglas Development Forum to develop a resilience plan and host a community conference. Events like “How to Save a Life” encouraged volunteer engagement, while representatives from all eight Glenkens communities came together to share learning and strengthen preparedness for future challenges.

With the second year of the partnership already underway, Loch Ken Trust has delivered even more ranger hours, water safety training and nature-based education sessions. Plans for this year place an increasing emphasis on climate awareness and outdoor learning, ensuring that schools, youth groups and local communities continue to benefit from tailored support.

ENDS

Media contacts:

Kieran Wilson
E: [email protected]
T: 07729092807

Editor’s 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 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.

Analysis – Solar surges as Britain records its cleanest quarter ever

News

The report, produced by Imperial College London and commissioned by Drax, shows that the carbon intensity of Britain’s electricity fell below 100 grams of CO2 per kilowatt-hour for the first time between April and June. A decade ago, that figure was over 450 gCO2/kWh.

For households, the change means that everyday actions now leave only a fraction of the carbon footprint they once did. Boiling a kettle in 2025 now produces less than 10 grams of CO2, compared with over 40 grams in 2010.

The improvement has been helped by record levels of solar power. More than 3GW of new solar capacity has been added in the past two years, taking the UK total to almost 20 GW. That expansion, combined with the sunniest spring on record, saw solar supply over 40% of Britain’s electricity at peak in for the first time in May. In June, the grid recorded its cleanest day in history, with emissions averaging just 28 gCO2/kWh.

The findings also highlight how Britain’s power system is adapting to new patterns of supply and demand. Hotter, sunnier summers are already reshaping the grid, with solar producing record volumes while electricity demand rises for cooling. Managing these changes will require more flexible generation, storage, and stronger networks to balance supply and demand throughout the year.

“This data shows just how quickly Britain’s electricity mix is changing,” says Dr Iain Staffell, lead author of Electric Insights at Imperial College London.

“Solar generation is now making a visible dent in our national emissions, helping to drive the grid to its cleanest quarter on record.

“While these results are encouraging, we cannot underestimate the scale of the challenge. Hotter summers and rising demand for cooling are creating new pressures, and the curtailment of renewable power shows that our infrastructure is not yet keeping pace with supply. The next stage of our energy transition is about locking in the benefits of clean generation all year-round by expanding storage, strengthening the grid, and finding smarter ways to balance the system,” he added.

Ian Kinnaird, FlexGen Assets Director at Drax, said:

“The latest Electric Insights report demonstrates that Britain is moving in the right direction on clean power. Delivering the 2030 target will require a mix of solutions, from new renewables to storage and flexible technologies that keep the grid stable when the wind isn’t blowing and the sun isn’t shining. With the right investment, the UK can cut carbon, strengthen energy security, and create new opportunities for green growth.”

The report also notes that Britain’s power sector emissions are now lower than those from aviation, marking a dramatic turnaround from just a decade ago. If wind and solar farms had not been forced to curtail output when supply outstripped demand, renewables could already have covered all of Britain’s electricity needs for more than 250 consecutive hours in the past year.

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

ENDS

Media contacts:

Kieran Wilson
E: [email protected] 
T: 07729092807

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 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 partners with Groundwork Yorkshire to inspire young people through summer ‘Go Wild’ programmes in Selby and Goole

3 September 2025

News

Groundwork Yorkshire’s ‘Go Wild’ summer playschemes are designed to give children aged 7-11 the opportunity to learn new skills, make friends, and build confidence through fun and educational activities. The programmes ran throughout August in Goole’s West Park and Selby’s Community Centre playing fields, with an additional nature-focused day hosted at Drax’s Skylark Centre.

As part of the programme, Drax colleagues delivered interactive STEM sessions, including bottle rocket launches and bridge building, which proved a highlight for many participants. In Selby, the rocket-making workshop even drew in the whole park for a countdown, creating a memorable moment for the children and their families.

One of the children involved in the bottle rocket launch session

In total, five sessions were held across Selby and Goole, with more than 21 hours of activities delivered. Thanks to Drax’s support, the Goole group also enjoyed a day of outdoor adventure at the Skylark Centre, with activities including den building, orienteering and woodland games, made possible by funding for transport provided by Drax.

Groundwork Yorkshire has been running the Goole Go Wild scheme for the past four years, offering children from the local area a safe, fun and supportive environment during the summer holidays. This year’s partnership with Drax brought added focus on STEM inspiring young people to get curious about the world around them.

Amanda Scrimgeour, Programme Manager, Groundwork Yorkshire said: “Our scheme is structured to provide safe, fun, new learning opportunities for children, and we’ve done it once again! Drax’s community team engaged fully with the children, sparking their interest in STEM with rocket making and bridge building. The support from Drax made a huge difference to the young people’s summer, and we’re incredibly grateful for their involvement.”

Nick Robinson, Drax’s UK Community Manager, said: “We’re proud to support initiatives like ‘Go Wild’ that give young people in our local communities the chance to learn, explore and have fun during the summer holidays. It’s fantastic to see their enthusiasm for STEM activities like rocket building – experiences like these can spark an interest that stays with them for life. Partnering with Groundwork Yorkshire allows us to make a real difference to children’s confidence, wellbeing and aspirations.”

ENDS

Media contacts:

Kieran Wilson
E: [email protected]
T: 07729092807

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 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.

Artistic talents of Argyll’s school pupils on display as Cruachan celebrates its 60th anniversary

28 August 2025

News, Press releases

The creative talents of Argyll’s young people have been on display at St Conan’s Kirk at a landmark art exhibition to mark the 60th anniversary of the iconic ‘Hollow Mountain’ Cruachan Power Station.

Around 200 pupils from local schools took part in an art competition earlier this year to design a card to mark the power station’s diamond anniversary. Cruachan was opened by the late Queen Elizabeth II on 15 October 1965 and has played a critical role in stabilising the UK’s power grid ever since.

Archive photographs depicting Cruachan’s incredible history from its beginnings in the 1950s to the present day were also part of the exhibition at St Conan’s Kirk.

Photo credit: John Devlin

Sarah Baird, Drax’s Scotland Community Manager said: “We had some amazing entries to the art competition to celebrate Cruachan’s special diamond anniversary. It was fantastic to see the breadth and depth of artistic talent that the region’s young people have.

“The exhibition enabled the whole community to not only see these fantastic works of art, but also to take a trip down memory lane with some of the wonderful archive images and stories on display as well.”

Joint Vice-Chair of St Conan’s Heritage Trust, Peter Hennessy, said: “St Conan’s is at the heart of the community here in Lochawe and we were delighted to host this fantastic exhibition. Around 50,000 people visit this historic church every year and it has been wonderful to see many of them this summer learn more about Cruachan and see the fantastic artwork that the area’s young people have created.”

The competition was divided into three age categories. Winners in each category received a framed print of their entry along with an Amazon voucher worth £100 for their personal use. In addition, their school was awarded a science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) grant of £2,000 by the power station’s owners Drax.

ENDS

Media contacts:

Aidan Kerr
E: [email protected]

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.

 

Crake expectations: Efforts redoubled to re-introduce endangered bird to Yorkshire

8 August 2025

News

The Corncrake, whose distinctive call was once a familiar sound in meadows across the UK, is now at the centre of an ambitious effort to revive local biodiversity in this nationally important habitat.

The project, one of the first of its kind in the region, aims to re-establish a sustainable Corncrake population by restoring traditional hay meadows, creating tailored breeding habitats, and working with local landowners to ensure the long-term viability of the species. The Corncrake has seen significant decline across the UK due to habitat loss and modern farming practices.

Mike Jackson, Chairman from Friends of Lower Derwent Valley Conservation Group, commented:

“The return of the Corncrake marks a symbolic and ecological milestone for the Lower Derwent Valley. It is not just about one bird, it’s about restoring an ecosystem that supports a wide array of species. This project is the result of years of collaborative work, local stewardship, and unwavering commitment to conservation.”

This re-introduction effort is part of a wider conservation strategy being delivered by The Friends of the Lower Derwent Valley. Other initiatives supported include the planting of native hedgerows, the creation of wetland scrapes for wading birds, and educational outreach programmes designed to connect local schools and communities with the natural environment.

Crucially, the work has been made possible through the support of the Drax Foundation, whose recent funding has enabled critical habitat restoration work and the introduction of Corncrake-friendly land management practices. The Drax Foundation has also contributed to youth education initiatives, including nature engagement days and biodiversity workshops.

Jane Breach, Community Engagement and Social Impact Manager at Drax, said:

“Supporting projects like the Corncrake re-introduction aligns closely with our goal to promote nature-positive action. The Lower Derwent Valley is a jewel of biodiversity, and we’re proud to back the Friends group in their mission to restore and protect this remarkable landscape for future generations.”

The Lower Derwent Valley, a designated National Nature Reserve, Site of Special Scientific Interest, and RAMSAR wetland site, is home to some of the most diverse and rare habitats in the UK. The Friends of the Lower Derwent Valley, working alongside partners such as Natural England, Carstairs Countryside Trust and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust have long championed its protection, combining scientific expertise with grassroots involvement to deliver real impact on the ground.

The Corncrake re-introduction is expected to draw attention from conservationists nationwide and may serve as a blueprint for similar efforts across other parts of England. The first birds arrived in late May with further arrivals planned until the end of August, with monitoring and community engagement activities also already underway.

ENDS

Media contacts:

Kieran Wilson
E: [email protected]
T: 07729092807

About Friends of Lower Derwent Valley

The Friends of Lower Derwent Valley National Nature Reserve promote conservation through habitat improvement/creation initiatives, and engagement and appreciation of the natural value of the area, underpinned by robust scientific evidence. Also, by delivering a wider network of nature recovery projects in the broader area surrounding the reserve to buffer the internationally important site, it will give nature room to expand and adapt to climate change.  The Friends charitable trust to seek to empower local communities to take that action themselves for the wider benefits that brings. This will be delivered through our ongoing educational and research work through promoting the message of ‘act local, think global’ and ‘wings around the world’.

Engineering Development Trust (EDT) and the Drax Foundation join forces to inspire Yorkshire students towards STEM and green careers

17 July 2025

News

The initiative, backed by a grant from the Drax Foundation, will fund a series of hands-on sessions aimed at building core STEM skills, boosting students’ confidence in applying those skills, and developing workplace competencies such as teamwork, problem solving and communication.

In support of EDT and Drax’s shared ambition to address the underrepresentation of women in STEM, the programme will also deliver targeted support to a cohort of 30 girls. This will include an industry challenge supported by dedicated mentors, as well as access to information on careers within the renewable energy sector and the pathways to enter those roles.

Jane Breach, Drax Foundation Manager, said:

“At Drax, we are passionate about supporting young people to develop the skills they need to play a part in the energy transition and a green future. We are proud to partner with EDT to deliver engaging, hands-on STEM experiences that will inspire students across Yorkshire.

“We’re especially pleased to support a focused programme for girls, helping to break down barriers and encourage greater gender diversity in STEM careers.”

Julie Feest, CEO at EDT, added:

“Climate change and sustainability are key concerns for the young people EDT works with, so we are excited to be able to offer them an insight into Drax – the UK’s largest single source of renewable electricity.

“Grant funding from the Drax Foundation will help to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders and equip them with the skills needed to engineer a more sustainable future.”

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.

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.

60 for 60! – Drax Foundation powers up community support with donations to mark Cruachan’s diamond anniversary

1 July 2025

News

Oban Mountain Rescue has received £30,000 towards the replacement of its ageing command vehicle, a vital piece of equipment that enables the team to coordinate rescues across some of Scotland’s most remote and challenging terrain. Their current vehicle, now 16 years old, is no longer reliable. The new van, to be professionally converted to mountain rescue specifications, will include advanced communications equipment and serve as a mobile operations base capable of supporting complex missions involving helicopters, drones, and rescue dogs. 

Ross Lilley, Vehicle Fund Raising Manager Oban Mountain Rescue said:  “This support from the Drax Foundation is an incredible step forward for us. It brings us significantly closer to our goal of replacing our command vehicle, which is essential for maintaining our capability to save lives in some of the most remote areas of Argyll. As a volunteer-led service, we rely entirely on donations, and this grant will help ensure our team remains rescue ready.” 

Expected to be operational by the end of 2025, the vehicle will dramatically enhance the team’s response capabilities, especially in the hills near Cruachan Reservoir—one of the team’s most frequent call-out areas. Entirely volunteer-led and dependent on public donations, Oban Mountain Rescue responds to dozens of emergencies each year, often in life-threatening conditions. Its 50+ volunteers, 30% of whom are women, make it one of the most gender-balanced and community-engaged rescue teams in the country. 

Meanwhile, St Conan’s Kirk, one of Scotland’s most architecturally distinctive churches, has also been awarded £30,000 to support urgent conservation work and energy efficiency upgrades. Located on the banks of Loch Awe, near Cruachan, the Kirk is entirely volunteer-run and serves as a hub for education, heritage, and community events. 

The funding will enable heating and insulation improvements in the Crypt and Bruce Chapel Basement, and the installation of a small solar PV system to provide renewable energy for the building. These upgrades will ensure the Kirk can continue to welcome visitors year-round while reducing its environmental impact. 

Graham Swanson, spokesperson for St Conan’s Kirk, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to the Drax Foundation for this funding. Their continued support has helped us deliver vital community programmes, improve our facilities, and welcome more people through our doors. This funding will allow us to further our mission of preserving the Kirk’s heritage while offering a vibrant and inclusive space for all.” 

The project will also see the Crypt transformed into a children’s exhibition and performance space, while the Bruce Chapel Basement will become a dedicated education room for local schools and community groups. 

Sarah Cameron, Drax’s Community and Education Manager in Scotland, said: “Both Oban Mountain Rescue and St Conan’s Kirk are incredible examples of what dedicated volunteers can achieve. Whether saving lives or enriching them through culture and heritage, they embody the resilience and spirit of this region. We’re proud to mark Cruachan’s 60th anniversary by supporting the communities that surround it.” 

Cruachan Power Station was opened by Queen Elizabeth II back in 1965, as one of the first reversible pumped storage hydro systems in the world. Today the power station has a generation capacity of 440MW, helping to keep the lights on in homes across the UK.  

ENDS 

Photo credit: John Devlin

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. 

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. 

Code makers – Ceiling breakers: Drax Power Station welcomes Carlton Primary’s girls coding club to celebrate Women in Engineering Day

30 June 2025

News

Enthusiastic young coders from Carlton Primary School’s Girls Coding Club were welcomed to the power station for an inspiring visit, focused on STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) education and showcasing the wide range of opportunities available to women in engineering at Drax Power Station. 

The coding club, which was created in 2024 allows school aged girls to work on a number of tasks to encourage problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration with Lego SPIKE sets, which combine colourful Lego building blocks, easy-to-use hardware and an intuitive drag-and-drop coding language. 

The ten pupils from the club were given the opportunity to tour the power station alongside some of Drax’s female engineers, and were taken behind the scenes to see how advanced technologies are used in the daily operations of one of Europe’s largest renewable power stations.  

Jenna Snell, CBM Engineer at Drax Power Station said: “It was amazing talking to the girls about my journey into engineering — it’s important that young people see people like them in all different roles. Encouraging girls into STEM subjects will allow for the recruiting pool to be more diverse and ultimately the workforce, but what really struck me is how important it is that boys hear these stories too. Inspiring girls is essential, but we also need to challenge the expectations boys grow up with about who belongs in this industry. Real change means bringing everyone into the conversation.” 

Nick Robinson, Drax’s Community & Education Manager for England, said: “The visit allowed us to showcase how we’re using technology to help run the power station, and how the women at Drax are contributing to that. It was great to see how engaged the pupils were, asking lots of questions and being truly amazed by some of the things we were able to show them. I hope they left feeling inspired to progress a career in STEM or another related subject.” 

Their day began with a visit to meet Sparky, the station’s four-legged robotic inspector dog developed by Boston Dynamics. Rich Barber, Warehouse Management System Engineer, and Condition Based Monitoring (CBM) Engineer Jenna Snell explained how Sparky is used to help monitor the condition of equipment safely and autonomously, sparking questions and excitement among the group. 

Pupils also got to step into the station’s immersive 360-degree ‘Igloo’ space with Graduate Engineering Apprentice Teagan Feerick, experiencing how virtual reality is being used to visualise complex engineering data. This hands-on session helped the students connect their own Lego-based projects with more advanced digital systems used in real-life engineering environments. 

The visit follows the launch of the Lego Spike Coding Club at Carlton Primary School earlier this year, a pilot initiative by Drax to encourage more young girls into coding and digital learning from an early age. With only 29% of STEM professionals in the UK being women, and studies showing that lack of encouragement at school is a key barrier, such initiatives are essential to help bridge the gender gap. 

ENDS 

Notes to editors

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. 

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. 

Hydro hues: Exhibition to celebrate Argyll school pupil’s artistic talent for Cruachan’s 60th anniversary

12 June 2025

News

Around 200 school pupils from local schools took part in the competition, which invited them to design a card commemorating the power station’s diamond anniversary. Cruachan was officially opened by the late Queen Elizabeth II on 15 October 1965 and has played a critical role in stabilising the UK’s power grid ever since.

The competition was divided into three age categories. Winners in each category received a framed print of their entry along with an Amazon voucher worth £100 for their personal use. In addition, their school was awarded a science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) grant of £2,000 by the power station’s owners Drax.

The winners were:

Category 1: 7-11 years Winner Finley Ainscough, Park Primary School Oban

Category 2: 11-15 years Winner Jonothan Lutgert, Oban High School

Category 3: 16-18 years Winner Emma McCallum, Oban High School

In recognition of the volume of entries and high standard of artwork from the entrants, Drax decided to award additional £500 STEM Grants to the schools that didn’t have a winning entry. These were –  Rockfield Primary School Oban, Taynuilt Primary School and Dalmally Primary School.

Sarah Cameron, Drax’s Scotland Community Manager said: “The competition has been a really fun way to engage with the youngest members of our local community and see Cruachan Power Station through their eyes. It has been lovely to hear from the children that most of them have enjoyed a visit with their school or a walk up to the iconic Cruachan Dam with their families.

“We hope the exhibition later this year will enable the whole community to see the creative talents of our region’s young people.”

All 200 entries will be on display as part of an exhibition later in the year to be held at St Conan’s Kirk, Lochawe, to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Cruachan’s operations.

ENDS

Media contacts:

Kieran Wilson
E: [email protected]
T: 07729092807

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.