The UK government got half of the Drax The power plant was ordered using sustainable wood by 100 % after sustainable criticism of its business model.
The government said that the large power plant in northern Yorkshire would play a “much more limited role” in the future.
The factory is an important generator for the United Kingdom, but it was Critical to burn wooden pellets Its source is forests in the United States and Canada.
The government agreed to a new deal with the energy producer who will suffer in half between 2027 and 2031, saying that Drax will only provide power when it is “really” required. This will provide consumers 170 million pounds annually.
However, the company said it is still targeting basic profits ranging from 100 million pounds and 200 million pounds annually during that period, and its shares rose by approximately 5 %.
Michael Shanks, Minister of Energy, said in a statement: “We believe they are [subsidies] Simply did not offer a good deal for the bills motivation and enable Drax to make unacceptable profits. “
He added: “This government will do everything necessary to provide energy security and protect the bills’ motivation now and in the future.”
Drax, the largest renewable energy generator in Britain, according to the output, has transformed four coal power units to use the biomass, and also runs water energy projects. Company Close the final charcoal factory After 50 years of a coal -working generation near Silby in 2023.
Under the new agreement, the company will have to switch to the use of the wooden biomass by 100 % of sustainable sources, increasing the current level of 70 %. The government threatened “major penalties” if Drax did not comply.
Green activists were afraid that the ministers would give unrestricted subsidies For the power plant, although strong concerns that burning trees to produce electricity is bad for the environment.
The government statement said: “Our central expectations show that, in the right conditions and in a limited role more than today, Drax’s biomass is the lowest cost option, including compared to gas stations that work with gas, for invoices during bills during this period. “
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Will Garderner, CEO of Drax: “Under this proposed agreement, Drax can intervene to increase the generation when there is not enough electricity, which helps to avoid the need to burn more gas or energy from Europe, and when there is a lot of electricity On the UK Network, Drax can reject and help the regime balancing.
The government hopes to remove carbon from the electricity network by 2030. To meet this goal, it will require a significant increase in renewable energy, such as wind and solar energy, as well as projects that store energy when there is not enough wind or sun.
The government also turns into a more nuclear power to achieve its carbon targets. Last week, Care Starmer pledged to “tear the nuclear industry bases” by Allow a new strain of small reactors To be built for the first time in the United Kingdom.
This step can allow for new investment in small standard reactors to allow new nuclear projects to decline across England and Wales – not only on the eight nuclear sites allocated to the country.
