Coutinho defies Tory rebels in backing Drax carbon capture plans

CLAIRE COUTINHO has backed energy generator Drax’s plans to build a new carbon capture facility on its wood-burning power plant, defying rebel Tory MPS.

The Energy Secretary approved planning permission for Drax’s proposals to capture and store carbon from its wood pellet-burning power plant in North Yorkshire.

The new system is expected to be up and running to reduce emissions from the plant from 2030.

However, this will depend on the company winning subsidies to fund the scheme.

The business is also seeking an extension to existing subsidies for burning renewable fuels, which are scheduled to expire in 2027 leaving a three-year gap before the carbon capture system is in place.

A decision on those bridging subsidies is expected to be made this month.

Will Gardiner, chief executive of Drax, welcomed the planning approval of its bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) scheme. “The Development Consent Order approval is another milestone in the development of our BECCS plans, and demonstrates both the continued role that Drax Power Station has in delivering UK energy security and the critical role it could have in delivering large-scale carbon dioxide removals to meet net zero targets,” he said.

“We look forward to working with our supply chain and other partners over the coming years on the project which, when fully operational, will deliver secure renewable power and approximately 8m tons of carbon dioxide removals per year.”

Conservative MPS had questioned the wisdom of an “unproven” scheme which, while potentially reducing emissions, continues the burning of wood pellets from American trees.

Selaine Saxby, MP for North Devon, had also criticised the potential for higher bills for energy customers.

But Ms Coutinho has approved the scheme, accepting the Planning Inspectorate’s recommendation, which officials said had been taken after wide consultation on the project.