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Drax Power Station: Carbon Emissions

Asked by Ian ByrneLabourDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled Answered 11 April 2025UIN 43557

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of Drax power station on his net zero policies.

Answered by Michael Shanks

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recognises that bioenergy can play a significant role in decarbonising economies provided policies mitigate the use of unsustainable biomass. The low carbon dispatchable CfD mechanism will result in Drax generating more flexibly, displacing higher-emissions unabated gas plants, helping to reduce power system carbon emissions.

The Government is commissioning an independent review to consider how greenhouse gas removal technologies, including power bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, can assist with UK Net Zero targets, whilst maintaining security of supply. Further details will be shared in due course.

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