Archives: Press Release

Drax competition celebrates release of special edition Hornby biomass wagons

1 February 2016

Uncategorized

Selby, Yorkshire: Drax is offering the chance to sit with the driver in the cab of a real biomass train on its journey to deliver compressed wood pellets from one of its four ports to the UK’s largest power station.

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The winner of the first prize in the competition will also receive a set of two limited edition Hornby biomass wagons presented by Andy Koss, Chief Executive of Drax Power, and will be taken on a VIP tour of the biomass unloading facilities. Three runner up winners will each receive the limited edition Hornby biomass wagon set.

Drax processes and compresses low grade wood into small high-density pellets, turning humans’ oldest renewable energy source into a fuel that is modern and highly efficient.  The majority of the compressed pellets are imported from the huge working forests of North America which are expanding year on year. Drax’s new energy source is made from the residues and thinnings left from industries that have no use for them.

Our specially designed trains move millions of small pellets from four UK ports – Hull, Immingham, Liverpool and Tyne – to our power station with a minimal cost and environmental impact. Hornby has released two special edition model wagons in ‘OO’ gage. They have been commissioned by Drax and only 2,000 have been produced. The wagons are currently available for pre-order here, and 10% of all profits received will be donated to the Railway Benefit Fund.

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To enter the competition, email [email protected] with your name, age, phone number, postal address, and answer to this question:

Which four UK ports do Drax biomass trains pick up compressed wood pellets from before travelling to Drax Power station to generate 4% of the UK’s electricity?

The competition closing date is Friday, 12th February and the winners will be chosen the following week.

Please see below for competition terms and conditions before entering. 

The largest ever rail freight wagons in the UK, our biomass wagons, were designed by Lloyd’s Register Rail and manufactured by WH Davis. The current fleet of more than 200 wagons have travelled huge distances across the UK to help Drax move away from coal and become a predominantly biomass electricity generator, making it Europe’s largest decarbonisation project. The wagons are 30 per cent larger than any other rail freight wagon currently used in the UK, and are able to carry a biomass load weighing 71.6 tonnes.

Contact

Jennifer Davies
Press Officer
+44 1757 612084
[email protected]

Notes to Editors

Photos

High resolution photos of the special edition Hornby wagons and the real biomass trains can be downloaded at: www.drax.com/uk/media

Videos

Films and animations explaining our transformation from coal to renewable biomass can be viewed on YouTube and downloaded via Vimeo.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3G6XjBeWTx09LQtUT2oq2Q

https://vimeo.com/draxgroup

About the special edition Hornby wagons

Hornby has released 2,000 special edition wagons. Two models are available: a hopper with a ‘swoosh’ paint design (Cat No. R6723) and another in the Powering Tomorrow scheme (R6724). To pre-order the wagons, please click here

About Drax

Drax Group plc is an innovative energy company that owns and operates the UK’s largest power station in Selby, North Yorkshire, typically providing some 8% of the UK’s electricity. A vital strategic asset, the Group has transformed itself into a predominantly biomass-fuelled electricity generator through its use of innovative technology and sustainably sourced wood pellets. The largest decarbonisation project in Europe is underway to provide the UK with cost effective, low carbon, and reliable renewable power.

The Group employs around 1,400 people and also includes:

Drax Biomass, based in the US focused on the self-supply of some of its sustainable biomass requirements.

Haven Power, the Group’s retail arm, providing business electricity contracts that are simple, flexible and designed to customers specific requirements.

Billington Bioenergy, is one of the leading distributors of wood pellets for sustainable heating in the UK.

For more information visit www.drax.com/uk  

About the Railway Benefit Fund

The RBF supports current and former railway staff and their dependants when they need help through illness, injury, bereavement, or adversity. Nobody can predict the future, and offering that peace of mind within your industry is a charity that may be able to help you.

The charity’s grants and support amounted to almost £362,130 in 2013, and supported over 500 people.

The charity has been helping railway people for over 150 years, improving the quality of life of current and former railway people in the UK through the provision of customised support. Assistance is provided in many forms, on a short or long term basis and is specifically tailored to an individual’s situation.

For more information please visit https://www.railwaybenefitfund.org.uk/

Competition Terms & Conditions

Qualifying Entrants

  • Entry is open to residents of the United Kingdom who are 18+ years old. Proof of identity and age may be required
  • Employees of Drax Group plc and their immediate families are not eligible to enter the competition
  • For safety reasons, entrants must be able bodied in order to ride in the cab of the biomass train
  • No purchase is required for the competition
  • To enter, please submit your answer to the competition question above, along with your name, age, phone number and postal address to [email protected] by Friday 12th February
  • Only one entry is allowed per person. Multiple entries will be disregarded

Competition winners

  • All prize winners will be chosen at random the week commencing Monday 15thFebruary 2016
  • First prize is to sit in the cab with the driver of a real biomass train along the journey of port to Drax Power Station in Selby, Yorkshire. In addition, the winner will also receive a set of limited edition Hornby biomass wagons presented by Andy Koss, Chief Executive of Drax Power, and will be taken on a VIP tour of the biomass unloading facilities
  • The winner will join the train along the journey of port to Drax Power Station – further details of which will be confirmed with the winner once chosen
  • The three runner up winners will each receive a set of limited edited Hornby biomass wagons
  • The prizes are as stated and no cash or other alternatives will be offered
  • The winner of the first prize and the three runners up agree to the use of their name, photograph and disclosure of county of residence relating to any post-winning publicity
  • The winners will be contacted via phone and/or email
  • If the winner(s) cannot be contacted, or are unable to comply with these terms and conditions, Drax reserves the right to draw new winners
  • All four winners will be publically announced via Drax’s twitter account on the week commencing Monday 22nd February 2016
  • For the winner of the first prize, travel will be arranged and paid for by Drax to the starting point of the biomass train journey (to be specified by Drax) and from Drax Power Station in Selby, Yorkshire

Entry into the competition is deemed as acceptance of all terms and conditions

Project Update

8 January 2016

Press releases

Details have been published in the East Anglian Daily Times (and will be published again on August 26th) and on the Progress Power and Planning Inspectorate websites. Eye Library also hold details of the amendments.

Both Mid-Suffolk District Council and Suffolk County Council are aware of the proposed amendments and the reasons for making them, and Progress Power has notified other relevant parties. The consultation process is being undertaken in accordance with the Planning Inspectorate’s guidelines.

The changes are restricted to the main power generation plant site at Eye Airfield and are regarded as non-material.

The amendments to the Development Consent Order (DCO) relate to the width of the power station’s exhaust flue stack (chimney) for the single turbine unit solution only and some minor amendments to the dimensions of some buildings within the main power generation plant site. The height of the key components on site (i.e. the gas turbine generator and the stack) will not change from what was originally consented. Progress Power has permission to build up to five stacks (30m high).

The need to make amendments to the DCO became apparent during the procurement process for the power station: in order to construct the one turbine solution, minor alterations would need to be made to some of the parameters and locations of various structures consented by the DCO. There is a need to widen the visible part of the stack for the single unit solution by 1.6 metres.

Progress Power has not yet concluded the exact number of turbines that will be constructed on the site, and the stack height(s) will remain 30 metres as per the July 2015 DCO.

The consultation on the proposed non material changes to the DCO runs from August 19th to September 25th. Responses to the consultation should be addressed to the Planning Inspectorate.

8 January 2016 – Project update

Press releases

Hirwaun Power’s consented 299MW gas-fired generation project (on part of the Hirwaun Industrial Estate) did not secure a contract in the Government’s recent Capacity Market Auction for future power generation (held in December 2015) and therefore the project will not proceed during the course of this year (2016).

Given the need for new gas-fired power generation in the UK, Hirwaun Power intends to enter the project in the Government’s next Capacity Market Auction which is scheduled to be held in December 2016.

Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, the local planning authority, has been notified.

Project Update

Press releases

The decision has been made because Watt Power (the parent company of Millbrook Power) was unable to secure contracts for its two consented 299MW gas-fired generation projects (in Suffolk and in south Wales) through the Government’s recent Capacity Market Auction for future power generation (held in December 2015). If contracts are secured for these two consented projects in the Government’s next Capacity Market Auction (to be held in December 2016), Millbrook Power would look to submit a Development Consent Order application in 2017.

Both Central Bedfordshire Council and Bedford Borough Council, as the local planning authorities, have been notified.

Will Gardiner appointed Drax Finance Director

1 October 2015

Uncategorized

The Board of Drax Group plc is pleased to announce that Will Gardiner has been appointed as Finance Director.

His appointment will take effect on 16 November 2015. He will succeed Tony Quinlan, who resigned as a director of the Company on 31 May 2015. Michael Scott, who has been Interim Finance Director since Tony’s resignation, will continue in that role until Will takes up his appointment.

will-gardiner-appointed-drax-finance-director

Will has been Chief Financial Officer of CSR plc, a global semiconductor business, since 2008. CSR was acquired by Qualcomm Inc. on 13 August 2015. He had previously been a Divisional Finance Director of BSKYB and Chief Financial Officer of Easynet Group plc. Will graduated from Harvard and Johns Hopkins Universities, and spent the early part of his career in corporate finance with Citibank and JP Morgan.

Commenting on the appointment Phil Cox, Chairman of Drax, said:
“The Directors are delighted to welcome Will to the Board of Drax. He brings a wealth of experience and skills, and will be a strong addition to the Drax team. I also extend the directors’ thanks to Michael Scott who has done an excellent job as Interim Finance Director.”

ENDS

Contact

Andrew Brown
Director of Communications
+44 1757 612 165
+44 7721 513 777
[email protected]

Notes to Editors

Photo

A high resolution photo of Mr Gardiner is available via Dropbox and at: www.drax.com/uk/news/media-images

About Drax

Drax Group plc is an innovative energy company that owns and operates the UK’s largest power station in Selby, North Yorkshire, typically providing some 8% of the UK’s electricity. A vital strategic asset, the Group is transforming itself into a major biomass fuelled electricity generator through its use of innovative technology and sustainably sourced biomass. The largest decarbonisation project in Europe is underway to provide the UK with cost effective, low carbon, and reliable renewable power.

The Group employs around 1400 people and also includes:

Drax Biomass, based in the US focused on the self-supply of some of its sustainable biomass requirements.

Haven Power, the Group’s retail arm, providing business electricity contracts that are simple, flexible and designed to customers specific requirements.

Billington Bioenergy, is one of the leading distributors of wood pellets for sustainable heating in the UK.

Drax announces plan to end further investment in White Rose Carbon Capture & Storage project

25 September 2015

Uncategorized

Selby, Yorkshire: Drax today announced it remained committed to fulfilling its current work on a Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) feasibility and technology development project (FEED), but once completed, would not be investing further and will withdraw as a partner of Capture Power Ltd, the developer of the White Rose CCS project.

The two year project is being taken forward by the Capture Power partnership – made up of Drax, Alstom and BOC and is looking at the potential to capture up to 90% of carbon emissions from a new coal fired power station and safely store them beneath the North Sea. The project is due to conclude during the next 6-12 months.

Drax has also confirmed that while at that point it would cease to commit further investment, it will continue to make the site owned by Drax, along with the infrastructure at the Power Plant, available for the project to be built.

Drax Group Operations Director, and Capture Power Board Director, Pete Emery said:

“We remain fully committed to completing what we’ve signed up to – the completion of a study into the feasibility and development of world leading technology that could result in dramatic reductions in carbon emissions produced by power stations and heavy industry.

“We are confident the technology we have developed has real potential, but have reluctantly taken a decision not to invest any further in the development of this project. The decision is based purely on a drastically different financial and regulatory environment and we must put the interests of the business and our shareholders first.

“We will focus our resources on the areas which we can deliver best value, particularly working with Government to explore the potential for converting a fourth generating unit to run on sustainable biomass.

“Drax still believes this project has great potential and we have announced that the site at the Drax Power Plant, along with our existing infrastructure remain available for the project to be built.”

ENDS

Contacts

Paul Hodgson
Head of Media Relations
+44 1757 612 026
+44 7525 590 271
[email protected]

Andrew Brown
Director of Communications
+44 1757 612 165
+44 7721 513 777
[email protected]

About Drax Group plc

Drax Group plc is an innovative energy company that owns and operates the UK’s largest power station in Selby, North Yorkshire, typically providing some 8% of the UK’s electricity. A vital strategic asset, the Group is transforming itself into a major biomass fuelled electricity generator through its use of innovative technology and sustainably sourced biomass. The largest decarbonisation project in Europe is underway to provide the UK with cost effective, low carbon, and reliable renewable power.
The Group employs around 1400 people and also includes:

Drax Biomass, based in the US focused on the self-supply of some of its sustainable biomass requirements.

Haven Power, the Group’s retail arm, providing business electricity contracts that are simple, flexible and designed to customers specific requirements.

Billington Bioenergy, is one of the leading distributors of wood pellets for sustainable heating in the UK.

For more information visit www.drax.com/uk

Creative crafts at Drax Summer Art Schools

20 August 2015

Uncategorized

Some 60 aspiring young artists in the Goole and Selby area attended Summer Art and Crafts schools at Drax Power Station this week to brush up on their artistic abilities and creative talent.

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The free events, held over three days were run by David Anderson, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.  David, who is a skilled artist, designer and illustrator created the activities for the three days as well as giving advice and demonstrations in drawing and painting techniques.

The children aged 7 to 10 learnt how to transfer their designs on to a variety of items including porcelain mugs and linen bags, as well as moulding scenes from air-dry clay and personalising their own apron. A Master Class for 11 to 14 year-olds helped them learn simple yet effective drawing and painting techniques, resulting in their very own watercolour masterpiece.

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David Anderson said: “It’s fantastic to see the enthusiasm, imagination and creativity displayed over the three days. Both age groups were keen to try out different ideas and worked hard to improve their skills, techniques and knowledge.”

The Summer Art schools are now in their eighth year and are organised by Drax to build on its Art in the Community scheme to encourage and develop art appreciation as part of the company’s support for education and to promote art learning within the National Curriculum.

For more information, please contact:

Mandy Empson, Drax

01757 618381

About Drax

Drax Group plc is an innovative energy company that owns and operates the UK’s largest power station in Selby, North Yorkshire, typically providing some 8% of the UK’s electricity. A vital strategic asset, the Group is transforming itself into a major biomass fuelled electricity generator through its use of innovative technology and sustainably sourced biomass. The largest decarbonisation project in Europe is underway to provide the UK with cost effective, low carbon, and reliable renewable power.

The Group employs around 1400 people and also includes:

Drax Biomass, based in the US focused on the self-supply of some of its sustainable biomass requirements.

Haven Power, the Group’s retail arm, providing business electricity contracts that are simple, flexible and designed to their specific requirements.

Billington Bioenergy, is one of the leading distributors of wood pellets for sustainable heating in the UK.

Nearly a third would pay more to go green but value for money is key

24 July 2015

Uncategorized

New research commissioned by Drax has revealed 31% of people are willing to pay nearly £10 more on average to support green energy. They are clear this would be on top of the amount already paid through their energy bills to encourage the shift to low-carbon energy sources.

The ComRes survey shows there is very little understanding of the proportion of an energy bill that goes towards green energy, with the majority saying they don’t know and 17% saying it’s more than £100.

When the actual average amount on a bill was revealed to the respondents – £62 – a surprising number said they were prepared to pay more. While the average was nearly an extra £10, one in five said they’d be willing to contribute more than an extra £20.

But this willingness is conditional. In return bill payers want to see renewables investment go into reliable technologies that are affordable and offer value for money. The survey showed that 35% of Britons ranked value for money or affordability for customers highest out of a range of options the government should prioritise, including impact on the landscape, impact on the local economy and ability to safeguard jobs. Reliability of supply had the third highest level of support, with 15% ranking it in first place.

This research is published as the new Conservative government reaffirms its commitment to going green and tackling climate change, but is clearly emphasising this must be done in the most affordable way possible.

Drax Group CEO, Dorothy Thompson said:

“It’s clear a significant number of people are prepared to pay more to boost green energy in the fight to tackle climate change.
“However it’s also clear they are not prepared to write a ‘blank cheque’ and want guarantees that anything extra must be spent on green energy generation that is affordable and reliable.

“At Drax we’re leading Europe’s largest decarbonisation project and already meeting these ‘consumer asks’ as we take coal off the system and replace it with sustainable biomass that continues to provide a 24/7 source of electricity that doesn’t break the bank.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

DECC’s latest Bills & Prices report estimates that consumers pay an average £62 per year on their energy bills to support green energy:

https://www.gov.uk/policy-impacts-on-prices-and-bills

ComRes data are from two surveys, data for both were weighted to be representative of all GB adults aged 18+:

• ComRes interviewed 2,015 GB adults online between 17th and 18th June 2015.
• A further 2,052 GB adults were interviewed online by ComRes between 8th and 9th July 2015.
• ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Data tables are available on the ComRes website, www.comres.co.uk

Contacts:

Paul Hodgson
Head of Media Relations
+44 1757 612 026
+44 7525 590 271
[email protected]

Luther Pendragon
+44 (0) 20 7618 9137
[email protected]

23 July 2015 – Hirwaun Power secures planning permission – new gas fired power station approved by government

23 July 2015

Press releases

Hirwaun Power Ltd has secured consent from the Department of Energy & Climate Change for its £200m gas-fired power station project, near Aberdare in south Wales.  Subject to raising the necessary finance, it will enter commercial operation in 2019.  It will operate as a “peaking plant”, providing back-up to intermittent renewable generation and create 150 construction jobs, and up to 15 permanent and skilled jobs.

To be located on part of the Hirwaun Industrial Estate which lies adjacent to the A465 “Heads of the Valleys” dual carriageway between Swansea and Abergavenny, the Hirwaun Power project will produce up to 299 megawatts (MW) of electricity, the equivalent of supplying 400,000 homes.

It represents a significant investment into the local economy and will give rise to multi-million pound construction and supply chain contracts, support 150 jobs over the two year construction and commissioning period, and up to 15 full-time jobs when operational.

Amber Rudd, Secretary of State for the Department of Energy & Climate Change granted planning permission to the Hirwaun project after a 2½ year public consultation and examination process.

Norman Campbell, Project Director at Hirwaun Power said: “Securing the Goverrnment’s approval for the project is very good news for the Hirwaun team and the local economy. We would expect our £200m scheme to provide a catalyst for further investment in the area. Importantly, the project also helps to meet the Government’s policy objectives of security of energy supple and affordability and supports the country’s transition to a low carbon economy.

“The input that we received from the Rhondda Cynon Taff Council and the local community during the project’s public consultation process was very helpful, and we will liaise closely with the Council and other local interests during the project’s construction and eventual operation.

“However, despite the widespread acceptance that new generation plant is required and the considerable investment we have made so far, we must still secure the money to get the project built.  We expect to know whether or not we are successful in doing that by the middle of next year (2016).”