Drax is set to stoke renewed controversy as ministers prepare to approve a multibillion-pound CO2 capture scheme it claims would make it “carbon negative”. The scheme has infuriated greens already angered by Drax’s switch from coal to wood. They say Drax’s clear-cutting of forests in North America destroys the environment rather than supporting it. Next week, however, Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho is expected to approve a scheme to bolt two massive carbon capture plants onto Drax’s four generating units, potentially stripping out almost all their CO2 emissions. Drax claims the scheme will make it the world’s first carbon negative thermal power station. Greens claim it will destroy forests. …However, the UK government has repeatedly supported the idea. Its net zero strategy report argues that: “When coupled with carbon capture and storage, it is possible that sustainable biomass can not only enable production of low carbon fuels but could also deliver vital negative emissions.”
Related coverage in/by:
- Carbon Herald: UK Govt Set To Greenlight Multi-Billion BECCS Scheme By Drax
- Drax: Drax responds to Government progress on electricity storage investment framework