On 16 January 2024, the Drax Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage Project application was granted development consent by the UK’s secretary of state for Energy Security and Net Zero.
The project proposes to install post-combustion capture technology that would capture carbon dioxide emissions from up to two of the existing biomass units at Drax Power Station. The proposal includes the construction and operation of carbon capture technology and associated equipment, and the integration of the units into the existing Common Services at Drax. The proposal includes associated development.
Following an Examination during which the public, Statutory Consultees and Interested Parties were given the opportunity to give evidence to the Examining Authority, recommendations were made to the Secretary of State on 17 October 2023.
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. 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.”
There is likely to be resistance to the scheme. In a response that hits out at both bioenergy technology and carbon capture technology, Greenpeace Head of Policy Dr Doug Parr, commented: “Slapping a carbon capture plant on the back of a mass burn biomass station does not make it a clean source of energy. The environmental and human downsides of large-scale pellet production and burning haven’t gone away. Carbon capture has a poor record on cost and delivery so while it might be appropriate for the decarbonisation of very challenging niche sectors, it certainly isn't for the power sector where alternative, cheaper zero-carbon technologies exist.”
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