Drax’s submission for its Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage Project was recently approved and granted development consent. This approval was granted by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.

The purpose of this project will be to install post-combustion capture technology, which will have the ability to capture carbon dioxide emissions from a maximum of two of the existing biomass units based at Drax Power Station. To make this possible, the proposed project includes both the construction and operation of carbon capture technology and the associated equipment. The agreement also includes the integration of the units, which will be placed into the existing Common Services at Drax Power Station. The final part of the agreement also includes any associated development occurring around the project.

Drax submitted this plan to the Planning Inspectorate, where it was considered by Drax Power Limited on the 23rd of May 2022. Once it had passed this stage, the project was then successfully passed into the examination stage on the 20th of June in 2022. Following this development, an opportunity for the public, Statutory Consultees and Interested Parties to give evidence to the Examining Authority, opened up. Once presented these recommendations were given to the Secretary of State on the 17th of October in 2023. Now, the project has been moved forwards once again and has now been granted project development success, after being continuously viewed as an innovative and valuable project.

The Planning Inspectorate’s Chief Executive, Paul Morrison, commented, “The Planning Inspectorate has now examined more than 100 nationally significant infrastructure projects since the Planning Act 2008 process was introduced, ensuring local communities have had the opportunity of being involved in the examination of projects that may affect them? Local communities continue to be given the opportunity of being involved in the examination of projects that may affect them. Local people, the local authority and other Interested Parties were able to participate in this six-month Examination. The Examining Authority listened and gave full consideration to all local views and the evidence gathered during the Examination before making its recommendation to the Secretary of State.”