Drax Receives Approval for Carbon Capture Project Amid Controversy

The £40bn project could make Drax the world's first 'carbon negative' power station, but critics argue the costs will fall on taxpayers and question the environmental benefits.

• Drax has received government approval to install carbon capture technology at its biomass power plant in North Yorkshire, potentially making it the world's first 'carbon negative' power station.
• The project, which could cost over £40bn, is expected to add about £1.7bn to energy bills annually if all four biomass units are fitted with the technology.
• The decision has been met with criticism from environmentalists and climate experts, who argue that burning biomass is not truly carbon neutral and that the costs of the project will fall on taxpayers or energy users.
• Drax claims that the project could save the UK economy up to £15bn between 2030 and 2050 when compared to other carbon reduction measures.
• The UK government is expected to extend a subsidy scheme that last year paid Drax more than £600m to burn trees for electricity until the end of the decade.

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