Plans to re-power two coal-fired units with gas at Drax to be discussed with public

Public events are being held about Drax Power Station’s plans to re-power up to two of its remaining coal-fired electricity generating units with gas and install what could be amongst the largest batteries in the world.

Drax’s project team will be on hand at the events to discuss the plans with local people and listen to their views.  New images and interactive displays showing what the development will include, as well as an environmental impact report, will also be available.

If the plans go ahead in their entirety, the development would include two combined-cycle gas turbines (CCGTs) which would also be capable of operating as rapid response gas power plants in open-cycle mode, with a combined capacity of up to 3,600 megawatts (MW) of electricity as well as battery storage of up to 200MW.

The exhibitions follow on from similar events held in November and are part of the statutory consultation process required ahead of submitting an application for a Development Consent Order.

Andy Koss, chief executive of Drax Power, said: “The options we’re exploring could reuse some of the existing infrastructure from the remaining coal assets at Drax and extend their operation as gas plant into the 2030s. The Repower project could secure the future of the power station beyond 2025 when the government says coal must come off the system.

“Drax Power Station is a national asset and a significant driver of economic growth in the North of England, generating more than £1/2bn for the northern economy and supporting 6,000 jobs.”

Drax is already the UK’s largest single site renewable power generator having converted three coal generating units to use sustainable wood pellets. More than two thirds of the power produced is now renewable, providing 17% of the UK’s renewable electricity – enough for four million homes.

Koss said that by upgrading its existing infrastructure to use gas it would provide more capacity, stability and essential grid services keeping costs low for consumers and delivering the government’s commitment to end power generation with unabated coal by 2025.

Public exhibitions featuring Drax’s proposals are taking place at the following venues:

• Selby Town Hall, York Street, Selby, YO8 4AJ – Saturday 20 January 2018 (10am – 4pm)
• Drax Sports and Social Club, Main Road, Drax, Selby, YO8 8PJ – Tuesday 23 January 2018 (3pm – 8pm)
• Junction, 2 Paradise Place, Goole, DN14 5DL – Wednesday 24 January 2018 (2pm – 7pm)
• Selby Town Hall, York Street Selby, YO8 4AJ – Thursday 1 February (10am – 4pm)
• Hemingbrough Methodist Church Hall, 2 Main Street, Hemingbrough, YO8 6QE – Friday 2 February (9.30am – 1.30pm)

The project’s consultation documents, including the Project’s Preliminary Environmental  Information Report, are also available to view at the following locations from 16 January until 27 February 2018, when the statutory consultation period closes:

• Selby District Council, Access Selby, Market Cross Shopping Centre, Selby, YO8 4JS
• North Yorkshire County Council, County Hall, Northallerton DL7 8AD
• East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Customer Service Centre, Cross Street, Beverley, HU17 9BA
• Selby Library,52 Micklegate, Selby YO8 4EQ
• Snaith Library, 27 Market Place, Snaith DN14 9HE
• Goole Library, Carlisle Street, Goole DN14 5DS

Subject to development consent and construction, the project could start generating electricity in 2022/23.