Drax Power Station
The largest biomass power plant in United Kingdom
Location
History & Background
Commissioned in 1974, Drax Power Station is a biomass power plant located in United Kingdom with an installed capacity of 3.9 GW. It is operated by Drax Group. By installed capacity, it ranks among the top 5 power plants in United Kingdom.
Why It Matters
Drax Power Station burns organic materials to produce electricity for United Kingdom, generating around 2.1 million US-equivalent households per year. Biomass plants of this scale are often controversial—their carbon accounting depends heavily on the source of the fuel and on land-use changes.
Environmental Impact
Drax Power Station's climate impact depends heavily on the source of its fuel. Sustainably sourced waste biomass can be near-neutral on a lifecycle basis; biomass from dedicated energy crops or from forests is much more contested, particularly when accounting for soil carbon and forest-regrowth timescales.
Fun Facts
- Largest biomass power plant in United Kingdom.
- The largest power plant in United Kingdom by installed capacity.
- Produces enough electricity to power roughly 2.1 million US-equivalent households per year at typical capacity factor.
- Has been operating for 52 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much power does Drax Power Station produce?▾
Drax Power Station has an installed nameplate capacity of 3.9 GW. At typical capacity factors for biomass plants (~65%), this produces enough electricity for approximately 2.1 million US-equivalent households per year.
Where is Drax Power Station located?▾
Drax Power Station is located in United Kingdom at approximately 53.7368°, -0.9989°.
When was Drax Power Station built?▾
Drax Power Station was commissioned in 1974.
Who owns Drax Power Station?▾
Drax Power Station is owned and operated by Drax Group.
About Biomass Power
Biomass power plants burn organic materials like wood, agricultural waste, or dedicated energy crops to generate electricity. While renewable, they do produce emissions, though these are considered carbon-neutral in some accounting frameworks.
Other Power Plants in United Kingdom
| Name | Type | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| ⚡Dogger Bank Wind Farm | Wind | 3.6 GW |
| ⚡Hinkley Point C | Nuclear | 3.3 GW |
| ⚡Hornsea Two | Wind | 1.4 GW |
| ⚡Hornsea One | Wind | 1.2 GW |
| ⚡Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm | Wind | 857 MW |
Related Reading
Data Information
Data Sources
Power plant data is based on the Global Power Plant Database by World Resources Institute, in collaboration with Google, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Enipedia, and the Global Energy Observatory.
Disclaimer
Information found on this page is for informational purposes only. Power plant specifications, ownership, and operational status may have changed since the data was last updated. Please verify critical information with official sources.