Drax supply chain event attracts hundreds of Humber businesses

Lots of interest from Humber businesses during the event at the Doubletree Hull.

·         More than 328 businesses from across Yorkshire and the Humber came together this week to learn how they can win contracts to help Drax deliver its multi-billion-pound bionergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) project.

·         Drax aims to source 80% of the construction materials and services for its BECCS project from British businesses.

·         The project will create 10,000 jobs across the North during its construction, developing green skills and help level up the region.

More than 328 businesses came together this week at an event run by renewable energy company Drax and its engineering, procurement and construction partner, Worley, to learn how they can win contracts worth hundreds of millions of pounds to deliver Drax’s vital carbon removal technology, bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS).

The event, run in partnership with NOF, the UK’s leading UK energy sector business development organisation, and the West & North Yorkshire and Hull & Humber Chambers of Commerce, was held in Hull.

Drax has previously said that it aims to source 80% of the construction materials and services from British firms and to build a robust UK supply chain for BECCS, ahead of construction getting underway as soon as 2024, with the creation of around 10,000 jobs.

Graham Backhouse, Drax’s Commercial Director for the BECCS project, said: “We want to put British businesses at the heart of our plans to deliver BECCS. It was fantastic to see such a broad range of companies, large and small, from across the region come together to learn how they can benefit from hundreds of millions of pounds worth of new contracts.

“Negative emissions technologies like BECCS will play a vital role in enabling the UK to reach its net zero goals, as well as creating exciting opportunities for Britain to lead the world in this vital technology, creating a new sector of the economy, as well as export opportunities.” 

David Hooper, External Affairs and Membership Director at Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce, said: “The event was a fantastic opportunity for businesses from across the region to learn about the huge opportunities available for them to be involved in Drax’s BECCS project. Projects like this will provide a vital opportunity for the UK supply chain to access millions of pounds worth of contracts, supporting jobs and growth in the Hull and Humber region.

“It’s incredible to think that the Humber is the largest emitter of CO2 in Europe after the Ruhr Valley in Germany, so it’s great to see businesses coming together to make significant changes which will benefit the entire region over the coming years. The Chamber welcomes and supports this initiative and it’s encouraging to see so many local businesses wanting to get involved and play their part.”

Diana Taylor, Managing Director of Marketing Humber, said: “BECCS at Drax will have a huge impact both economically and environmentally across the whole of the region, and it will play a vital role in enabling a zero carbon Humber.

“It’s crucial that businesses from across the Humber play a role in Drax’s plans, as it will not only support the economic growth of the region, but it will also support the creation of green jobs, helping to level up the North.”

Drax has a proven track record in delivering ambitious and pioneering infrastructure projects with the conversion of its power station in North Yorkshire to use sustainable biomass. This has enabled it to become the UK’s largest single site renewable generator, supporting more than 6,600 jobs throughout its supply chain across the North, whilst reducing its emissions by over 95% and paving the way for the deployment of BECCS.