Drax has moved a step closer to adding carbon capture technology at its power station in Yorkshire after the Environment Agency said it was minded to approve a permit change.
Drax Power Limited applied to vary its environmental permit so it can incorporate carbon capture at its bioenergy plant near Selby.
The Environment Agency said it has reviewed comments and evidence from two previous public consultations and currently sees no reason to refuse the application, however the decision is not yet final.
A fresh consultation has now opened on the draft permit and draft decision document, giving the public until 24 June 2026 to comment.
If approved, the permit variation would set the environmental conditions Drax must meet before adding carbon capture to the site.
Ian Foster, Area Environment Manager in Yorkshire, said: “We’ve carefully considered all the documents, consultation comments, and additional information from the operator, and currently see no reason to refuse the variation application.
“Our regulatory controls are in place to protect people and the environment and we are carrying out a detailed and robust assessment.”
Drax first applied for the permit variation in May 2023. The Environment Agency later requested more detailed information after deciding the original application did not include sufficient evidence.
Drax then submitted a revised air emissions risk assessment, including potential substances that could be formed in the carbon capture plant, prompting a second consultation in February 2025.
Carbon capture involves removing carbon dioxide from waste gases before it enters the atmosphere, usually by absorbing it in a special solvent.
Drax wants to capture carbon dioxide produced during electricity generation and transport it by pipeline for permanent storage under the North Sea.
Foster said: “It’s important the public have the opportunity to view the draft decision documents and provide their views. We’ll then make our final decision once we’ve reviewed consultation responses.”
The Environment Agency said it will only grant the variation if it is satisfied the project meets environmental rules and protects human health.
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