Drax seeks to build resilient supply chain for negative emissions technology
Power station operator Drax says it wants UK businesses of all sizes to join the UK’s first bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) supplier engagement programme.
The company will be hosting a series of nationwide events throughout 2022 in partnership with the West & North Yorkshire and Hull & Humber Chambers of Commerce, as well as further events across the wider North, Midlands and South of England.
These will enable Drax to identify a robust supply chain for BECCS, ensuring the project can be accelerated as soon as planning approval is received.
The event series will start with an introductory webinar on Thursday September 23, 2021, run with business support organisation NOF.
It will give new and prospective suppliers the opportunity to learn more about the BECCS project, as well as how they can be involved in delivering this negative emissions technology.
Graham Backhouse, Drax’s commercial director for the BECCS project, said: “Negative emissions technologies like BECCS will play a vital role in enabling the UK to reach its net zero goals.
“At its peak, BECCS at Drax will protect and create over 10,000 jobs, levelling up the north, and positioning the UK as a global leader in this climate-saving technology.
“This programme of events is a fantastic opportunity for businesses of all sizes to get involved and learn more about the project, and we want to encourage a range of companies from across the country to take part.”
Drax says the conversion of its power station in Selby to use sustainable biomass instead of coal has enabled it to become the UK’s largest single site renewable generator, reducing its emissions by over 90% and paving the way for the deployment of BECCS.
There will be a formal public consultation on Drax’s BECCS plans in November, when stakeholders including local communities will be able to learn more about the proposed project and provide their feedback.
Businesses which are interested in attending the introductory supplier event webinar on September 23, or the event series more generally and how they can be involved, can register their interest via www.drax.com/supplierevent.
