Wood-burning power station told to justify its green claims

A POWER STATION accused of “greenwashing” that gets £2.4million in Government subsidies a day must justify its environmental claims, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has said.

Drax’s claim that it generates “carbon-neutral” electricity by burning wood is being examined over allegations that it misleads consumers.

A complaint was raised by NGOS under the banner the Forest Litigation Collaborative. It alleges Drax “misled the public and investors, pocketing billions in publicly funded renewable energy subsidies while claiming to positively impact the environment”. The UK National Contact Point (NCP) for the OECD said the complaint merited “further consideration” and it would offer mediation to both parties.

Any finding against Drax by the NCP, which is part of the Department for International Trade, would be embarrassing for ministers who have put biomass at the heart of their net zero plans.

Drax last year received £891million in green subsidies because biomass is classed as carbon-neutral at the point where it is burnt under international accounting rules.

Inquiries by this newspaper found Drax burns the equivalent of 25 million trees a year. Yesterday, 57 MPS wrote to Boris Johnson demanding a meeting with Kwasi Kwarteng, the Energy Secretary, who they say is “stonewalling” elected representatives despite finding time to meet Drax 32 times.

A total of 84 MPS have written to ministers raising concerns about the “scandal” of burning wood for energy. The letter was sent within hours of the NCP publishing its decision online.

In the “greenwashing” complaint the NGOS allege Drax “misrepresented wood biomass as a carbon-neutral energy-generation source” and that “public statements on the environmental impact of its wood biomass energy activities are misleading”.

Drax has denied the allegations, saying its “business activities follow industry best practice and science”.