Will Gardiner, the chief executive of Drax, said: “Under this proposed agreement, Drax can step in to increase generation when there is not enough electricity, helping to avoid the need to burn more gas or import power from Europe, and when there is too much electricity on the UK grid, Drax can turn down and help to balance the system.”.
UK halves subsidies for Drax and says it must use 100% sustainable wood North Yorkshire power plant has been criticised for burning wood pellets sourced from US and Canadian forests.
The government’s statement said: “Our central projections show that, on the right terms and in a much more limited role than today, biomass generation at Drax is the lowest cost option, including when compared to gas-fired power stations, for bill payers during this period.”.
The UK government has halved subsidies for the Drax power station and ordered it to use 100% sustainable wood after sustained criticism over its business model.
The government has agreed a new deal with the power producer that will halve subsidies between 2027 and 2031, saying that Drax will provide power only when it is “really” needed.
