North Yorkshire power generator Drax Group said on Thursday it welcomed the UK Government’s support for sustainably sourced biomass and the critical role that Bioenergy Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) can play in achieving the UK’s climate goals.

The firm said it is engaged in formal discussions with the Government about the project and, providing these are successful, it plan to invest billions of pounds in delivering BECCS at Drax Power Station in North Yorkshire.

Drax said the strategy “reiterates the Government’s ambition to deliver 5Mt pa of carbon removals by 2030, with the potential for this to increase to 23Mt by 2035 and up to 81Mt by 2050, with BECCS expected to provide the majority of the total in 2050.”

Drax said: “In the period to 2035 Government intends to facilitate the use of biomass for power and heating, whilst supporting projects transitioning to BECCS.

“BECCS projects, which includes Drax Power Station, are seen as a priority use of biomass given existing generation assets with established supply chains and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology ready to be deployed.

“Beyond 2035 there will remain a role for biomass without BECCS in harder to decarbonise sectors and in supporting energy security.”

Drax added: “The UK Government has today published a Biomass Strategy which sets out its position on the use of biomass in the UK’s plans for delivering net zero.

“The strategy outlines the potential extraordinary role which biomass can play across the economy in power, heating and transport, including a priority role for Bioenergy Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS), which is seen as critical for meeting net zero plans due to its ability to provide large-scale carbon removals.”

Drax CEO Will Gardiner said: “We welcome the Government’s clear support for sustainably sourced biomass and the critical role that BECCS can play in achieving the country’s climate goals.

 “The inclusion of BECCS at the top of a priority use framework is a clear signal that the UK wants to be a leader in carbon removals and Drax is ready to deliver on this ambition.

“We are engaged in formal discussions with the Government about the project and, providing these are successful, we plan to invest billions in delivering BECCS at Drax Power Station in North Yorkshire, simultaneously providing reliable, renewable power and carbon removals.

 “We look forward to working alongside the Government to ensure biomass is best used to contribute to net zero across the economy, through further progression of plans for BECCS and ensuring an evidence-driven, best practice approach to sustainability.”