Drax Power Plant Could Switch to Biomass Fuel in a Decade

The power plant of Drax, which is the largest power plant fired by coal in the U.K., could be switching to biomass in a decade’s time from now. But the company will go ahead only if the government consents for granting renewable subsidies for such converted coal plants. In the process, Drax could as well reinvent itself as a renewable energy company.

Drax is looking at converting all of its six units for burning biomass. Presently, only the biomass plants that are purpose-built are eligible to receive extra payouts for covering their higher costs. The conversion of the first unit is expected to take place by 2011, with a capability of producing 660 MW of electrical energy.

If the conversion of the first unit goes on successfully, two more units could get converted into burning biomass by the year 2015. The remaining of this 4 GW plant might be devoid of coal usage totally by 2020. Burning biomass will result in reducing carbon emissions since it is seen as a carbon-neutral process.