Energy giant Drax pulls out of UK climate plan

https://www.ft.com/content/6c9e5d0e-4e7a-4e9d-bae7-11069a6bd...

"Wind accounted for 30 per cent of the electricity generated in the UK last year. But its expansion does not abolish the need for gas or biomass plants that can be turned on when they are needed."

"A decarbonisation study last year by the National Engineering Policy Centre concluded that the UK may need to build more gas-fired plants to maintain generating capacity in future. The official National Energy System Operator, which has warned of the pace of change being “at the limit of what is feasible”, supported Drax’s retention on the grounds of energy security."

"The government has tacitly conceded the point. Rather than treating Drax as a renewable energy source in a conventional financial way, the deal is quite like a capacity contract with a gas-fired operator. Drax will stay in service but it will not operate at more than half of today’s levels and “excess profits” will be clawed back."

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/nov/09/drax-still-...