Archives: Press Release

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.

Big Bang at Schools offers big bang for your buck! – funding supports ‘STEM’ events for over 3,000 underrepresented pupils

4 June 2025

News

Funding for EngineeringUK’s ‘Big Bang at School’ bursaries, originally awarded for the 2023/24 academic year, has now enabled 10 priority schools to host their own STEM events – bringing the magic of the Big Bang to their classrooms with an inspiring day filled with exciting activities.

The bursaries, supported by £15,000 of matched funding, gave 3,088 pupils the opportunity to engage in STEM activities, with an average of 191 pupils taking part at schools in Yorkshire and the Humber, Scotland, the East of England and the East Midlands.

The scheme is directly catered to schools serving young people underrepresented in the UK’s engineering workforce, including those in rural areas, girls’ schools, and schools with above average numbers of pupils eligible for free school meals. As part of the bursaries, teachers were able to use funds to purchase materials, run interactive sessions, and cover staffing costs, significantly enhancing the STEM experience for their pupils.

Teacher feedback was overwhelmingly positive: 100% of respondents agreed the bursary motivated their school to take part, improved the quality of the experience, and enabled wider participation from underrepresented pupils.

Lesley Lyon, Teacher at Oban High School said: “All our pupils loved the day and it has revitalised the whole school’s approach to science. We are very grateful for the funding and it has enabled us to buy equipment that we can use in the future.”

Some examples of how the funding was used include:

  • At Oban High School, a rural school on Scotland’s west coast, first and second year pupils explored aeronautical engineering by designing and building their own motor-powered model planes.
  • At Kirkcudbright Academy, in Galloway, Scotland, teachers designed a series of immersive workshops across different year groups, including a forensic science crime-solving challenge and a monorail design project linking STEM learning with real-world engineering roles. The school is now planning to run the event annually, using materials funded by the bursary.

Susi Farnworth, Head of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, EngineeringUK said: “We’re thrilled with the impact that our partnership with Drax has made, allowing us to inspire more young people underrepresented in engineering and tech. Partnering with expert organisations such as Drax supports EngineeringUK to grow our reach and impact. We’re one step closer to our goal of inspiring the next generation of skilled, innovative engineers.”

Jane Breach, UK Community and Education Manager at Drax said: “It’s brilliant to see the positive impact this funding has had on young people across the country. By supporting schools to deliver engaging, hands-on STEM experiences, we’re helping to open doors and inspire the next generation of engineers, particularly those who might not otherwise have had the opportunity.”

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.

The Dice is Right – Selby schoolchildren see energy saving board games brought to life

29 May 2025

News

Schoolchildren in North Yorkshire have risen to the challenge to create two new board games based upon the theme of energy saving and climate action, organised by the Drax Community and Education team at Drax Power Station.

Year four classes at Selby CP primary school were given the task of creating their own unique board game to help raise awareness of every day energy saving measures – with winning entries designed and produced by Yorkshire design agency GraphicAd.

Two groups saw their ideas brought to life and presented to them during an event at the primary school, including the winning tile card game titled ‘Save the World’, where players must collect money from ‘good’ energy saving cards in order to win, and pay for energy when they collect ‘bad’ cards showing practices that are not energy efficient.

Pupils from the school also devised the ingenious ‘Energy Ladder’ game, which features a spinner that allows players to move up the ladder with energy saving behaviour or down it for wasteful energy usage

Charlotte Foxton, Year 4 Teacher at Selby CP said: “We were thrilled to welcome back Leigh from Drax, who presented our winning board game teams with a very special prize – their energy-saving themed board game designs turned into real, playable games! Complete with 3D-printed pieces, the finished games look absolutely fantastic. A huge well done to all the children in year 4 for their competition entries and in particular to Julia and Zuzanna from the winning team in Class Elvis and Jasmine, Mia, Tosia and Ola from the Class Ruskin winning team! We’re incredibly proud of your creativity and hard work!

Nick Robinson, Community & Education Manager at Drax said: “Teaching young people how to be energy efficient will give them crucial skills for life, allowing them to save money and the planet with good habits. We were thoroughly impressed with the ideas and the design for the board games, which promote all of these good practices in a fun and engaging way.”

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.

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.

Brighter classrooms, smaller bills: UK schools cut carbon and costs with Drax Foundation funding

12 May 2025

News

Over £1.5 million worth of investment from the Drax Foundation has enabled 27 schools across the country to slash their carbon emissions, saving thousands on energy bills in the process, to be reinvested into improving pupils’ education on green skills.

From LED lighting upgrades to solar panel installations and cutting-edge energy education tools, the initiative is proving that sustainability and smarter spending go hand in hand.

So far, 24 schools have swapped outdated lighting for efficient LEDs, cutting lighting-related carbon emissions by an average of 59% and trimming lighting costs by a staggering 72%. That’s an average of £35,000 saved per school over the course of a year, cash that’s now being channelled into better resources, extracurricular activities and new learning experiences.

Three schools in Selby and Northampton have also harnessed solar power to drive further savings and reduce reliance on grid electricity.

“This investment in our school not only makes the school greener and more sustainable, it also allows our school to use its limited budget to enrich and enhance the children’s experiences,” said Sarah Dixon, Headteacher at Barwic Parade Community Primary School, a mere stone’s throw away from Drax Power Station in nearby Selby.

It’s not just infrastructure getting a green upgrade. Drax has teamed up with Energy Sparks, a charity that provides extensive support to teachers and pupils when learning about energy and climate change, to give 240 schools free access to energy management tools and sustainability education.

The results speak for themselves: in 2024 alone, participating schools cut 2,100 tonnes of CO₂ emissions, the equivalent of removing 1,500 cars off UK roads a year, and shaved £1 million off of their collective energy bills.

“The ongoing funding from the Drax Foundation will allow participating schools to embed energy-saving behaviours and provide more opportunities for children and young people to develop green skills,” explains Dr Claudia Towner, CEO and Programme Director at Energy Sparks.

Jane Breach, UK Community and Education Manager at Drax said: “Through the Drax Foundation, we’re empowering schools across the UK to cut carbon emissions, reduce energy costs, and create more sustainable learning environments. It’s a powerful example of our new sustainability approach in action – putting people first and building a brighter, greener future for the next generation. We look forward to continuing our work with schools across the UK, helping them to prioritise energy efficiency and lower their bills.

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.

Nature based activities at the Skylark Centre give local families a spring in their step

23 April 2025

News

Hundreds of visitors flocked to the Skylark Centre and Nature Reserve last week to join Drax’s annual springtime event, designed to spark curiosity and creativity in the great outdoors during the Easter half-term.

The nature-filled celebrations drew over 350 attendees across the two-days for the free activities, raising £190 in charitable donations for the Swan Sanctuary, who help to support the care and rehabilitation of injured swans.

With the theme of nature at its heart, the Spring event invited families to explore the reserve through a variety of engaging activities. From an orienteering challenge that had visitors searching for fact sheets about local wildlife, to a Woodland Hunt that encouraged keen eyes to spot native flora and fauna, the event provided both fun and education in equal measure.

Inside the Skylark Centre, children and adults took part in nature-themed crafts, including making sunflower pinwheels and leaf-dials. Visitors also got their hands dirty by creating newspaper plant pots and planting giant sunflower seeds to take home and grow throughout the summer.

“The event was a wonderful experience for our whole family. Watching the kids light up as they explored the nature reserve was truly memorable.” Said Deborah from Cambelsforth, who attended the event with her family.

“The craft activities in the centre were really well run and gave us a chance to get creative together. It was the perfect mix of outdoor adventure and hands-on fun. We’ll definitely be back next year!”

Nick Robinson, Community & Engagement Manager at Drax, said: “It’s always inspiring to see families engaging with the natural world and creating memories together, and that’s exactly what our annual Springtime event is all about.

“By encouraging people of all ages to explore, learn, and connect with nature, we’re supporting our Nature Positive commitment, part of Drax’s wider sustainability framework, focused on protecting and enhancing biodiversity at our sites and beyond.

“Events like this not only foster a love for the environment but also help us build stronger, more nature-conscious communities.”

For information on future events at Drax and the Skylark nature reserve, visit Facebook here. 

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.

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.

Join Drax in celebrating 60 years of Cruachan Power Station – the Hollow Mountain

22 April 2025

News

Since its opening by Queen Elizabeth II on 15 October 1965, Cruachan Power Station has played a vital role in powering homes and businesses across Scotland. One of just four pumped storage hydro plants in the UK, Cruachan stores excess power from the grid and then generates it back into the system when it is needed like a giant water battery.

Thousands of people were involved in the construction of the power station. Those who took part in the drilling, blasting, and clearing of rocks from inside the mountain earned the affectionate nickname of ‘Tunnel Tigers’. Since its completion, generations of schoolchildren have ventured into the underground facility to see where the Tigers once roared through granite to build this iconic piece of Scottish engineering.

To celebrate Cruachan’s diamond anniversary, Drax is calling on the public to contribute pictures and stories that capture Cruachan’s history—whether it’s a snapshot from a family visit, a tale of a guided tour inside the mountain, or memories of working on the facility’s construction. These can be sent to Drax by email to [email protected]

Sarah Cameron, Drax’s Scotland Community Manager, said: “We know Cruachan has a special place in the hearts of so many people across Scotland and around the world. Each year at our visitor centre we encounter people who have wonderful stories and memories of working at the site or passing through on a memorable school trip.

“It’s important that these are not lost over time, so we want to hear from as many people as possible in our special diamond anniversary year. It is vital that we preserve photos and memories for future generations to come.”

It’s also a special year for Cruachan beyond its anniversary, with work set to begin on a landmark £80 million refurbishment and upgrade to the site. The project will see the generating capacity of two of the plant’s four units increased to raise the facility’s total generating capacity to 480 MWs.

ENDS

Featured image caption: Cruachan Power Station dam construction, early 1960s.

Media contacts: 

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

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.

Yorkshire communities received over £360,000 in 2024 with Drax Foundation funding

17 April 2025

News

Over £360,000 worth of donations were provided by the charitable entity of renewable energy company Drax, with funding going to a wide variety of organisations who support to local communities, help to develop STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) skills and support the transition to a net-zero future.

In North Yorkshire, near to Drax Power Station, £50,000 was awarded to Speakers for Schools, a leading social mobility charity that provides young people aged 14-19 with transformational career-enabling opportunities.

The funding saw 510 young people participate in the charity’s STEM programme in York, Hull and Doncaster, where they were given the opportunity to combine class-based learning with visits to businesses and employer visits to schools.

James Webster, Donor Relations Manager, Speakers for Schools said: “Following the success of our Workspaces of the Future project, we are delighted to be supported by the Drax Foundation once again to STEM-related work experience opportunities. This allows us to provide a project-based work experience engagement programme, building on all that we have learned from our previous collaboration to impact young people in Yorkshire who would otherwise not have access to such resources.”

Alongside the support for STEM learning, funding also went towards addressing fuel poverty in across Yorkshire.

£100,000 was donated to the Fuel Bank Foundation, an independent charity that aims to support families who pay in advance for energy. 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.

Across the globe, Drax Foundation funding helped to reach over 25,000 young people with STEM and nature-based activities. £3.6m worth of funding in total was donated in Canada, the US and the UK, with £2.91m awarded through the Drax Foundation, £695,000 via the Community Fund, and £11,500 donated through the Drax Crisis Fund, providing emergency aid in response to natural disasters, conflict, and other humanitarian crises.

Miguel Veiga Pestana, Chief Sustainability Officer at Drax said: “Building stronger communities in the areas where Drax operates is the driving force behind our social purpose. Through our charitable giving, we’re empowering individuals with the skills and resources they need to thrive, while also making a tangible contribution to a sustainable future.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

In 2024, the Drax Foundation’s funding:

  • Led to a wide range of impactful outcomes, including 13,606 children participating in STEM education: 7,406 children and young adults taking part in nature-based education programs
  • Provided funding for 8,836 people with access to improved community green spaces
  • Gave financial and practical support to 2,800 UK households in ‘fuel poverty’ to help pay energy bills
  • Helped 262 schools to reduce their energy costs and consumption with energy-efficient LED lighting, solar panel installation and / or energy efficiency monitoring tools and advice
  • Funded 232 grassroots initiatives in the communities where Drax operates through the Drax Community Fund.

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.

Communities in Scotland given a £250,000 funding boost in 2024 from Drax Foundation

News

£250,000 worth of funding went to a wide variety of organisations who support to local communities, help to develop STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) skills and support the transition to a net-zero future.

In Argyll and Bute, where Drax’s pumped storage hydro power station at Cruachan is located, a grant of £100,000 was awarded to ALIenergy – a charity working to prevent fuel poverty in the UK and support those who are affected by it.

“Funding from the Drax Foundation has helped us to increase both affordable warmth work and educational activities in Argyll and Bute. This work is much needed with energy prices still sky high and rural households in particular struggling with expensive forms of heating. The region is underserved in terms of facilities and this funding will help us with our goal of ensuring no individuals live in fuel poverty without access to affordable energy in Argyll and Bute.” said Lynda Mitchell, CEO of ALIenergy

In Galloway, where Drax operates it’s hydro-electric power scheme at six generating stations, the Kirkcudbright Dark Space Planetarium received £37,500 to support its work to promote awareness and understanding of science, technology and space exploration.

The donation directly supported accessible workshops and exhibitions for young people in the region, giving schoolchildren the chance to visit the planetarium and young people from deprived areas access to STEM learning.

Deb Findlay, Education Coordinator at Kirkcudbright Dark Space said: “Funding from Drax has helped our STEM Learning Programme expand in the last year, giving us the opportunity to put on new workshops, lectures and exhibitions and hire new staff members for the planetarium. These activities help young people from underprivileged areas in Dumfries & Galloway learn more about STEM and experience the renowned international dark sky park on their doorstep.”

Across the globe, Drax Foundation funding helped to reach over 25,000 young people with STEM and nature based activities. £3.6m worth of funding in total was donated in Canada, the US and the UK, with £2.91m awarded through the Drax Foundation, £695,000 via the Community Fund, and £11,500 donated through the Drax Crisis Fund, providing emergency aid in response to natural disasters, conflict, and other humanitarian crises.

Miguel Veiga Pestana, Chief Sustainability Officer at Drax said: “Building stronger communities in the areas where Drax operates is the driving force behind our social purpose. Through our charitable giving, we’re empowering individuals with the skills and resources they need to thrive, while also making a tangible contribution to a sustainable future.”

In 2024, the Drax Foundation’s funding:

  • Led to a wide range of impactful outcomes, including 13,606 children participating in STEM education: 7,406 children and young adults taking part in nature-based education programs
  • Provided funding for 8,836 people with access to improved community green spaces
  • Gave financial and practical support to 2,800 UK households in ‘fuel poverty’ to help pay energy bills
  • Helped 262 schools to reduce their energy costs and consumption with energy-efficient LED lighting, solar panel installation and / or energy efficiency monitoring tools and advice
  • Funded 232 grassroots initiatives in the communities where Drax operates through the Drax Community Fund.

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.

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.