Since 2016, GB Railfreight has moved over 15 million tonnes of sustainable biomass.
Today (4th July) marks the completion of its 10,000th biomass delivery from Liverpool to Drax Power Station in North Yorkshire.
The trains, which run between Peel Ports and the power station in Selby, made around 3 journeys per day.
The biomass delivered provides Drax Power Station with enough power to up to 4 million businesses and homes.
The power station provides around 8% of the UK's renewable energy, making these biomass deliveries crucial for carbon goals.
The biomass will aid the UK's adjustment to net zero and decarbonisation of the national grid. Rail freight is vital to these goals as moving goods via rail requires 76% less carbon per tonne compared to road freight.
“We're hugely proud of our partnership with Drax and Peel Ports. As we have seen in recent years, the UK's long-term energy security is a key component of economic stability and national security.
“The 10,000 journeys we have made over the last eight years have supported Drax and the UK Government to produce low carbon power for us all. This power has provided for families and businesses up and down the country, helping ensure that everybody's needs are fulfilled – from keeping the central heating on in the winter to powering our electric vehicles.”
John Smith, Chief Executive of GB Railfreight
“Drax Power Station's supply chain partners play a critical role in helping us to keep the lights on for millions of homes and business in the UK no matter the weather. We have longstanding relationships with both GB Railfreight and Peel Ports and we are delighted to celebrate this incredible milestone with both of them.”
Mark Gibbens, Head of Logistics at Drax
“Ports are central to powering the whole country in many ways. Our relationship with Drax and GB Railfreight is a perfect example of how we work with customers to improve our collective environmental performance. We're proud to have invested £100m at our biomass terminal to make this happen and to see our port rail connections so well used.”
Jon Hassett, Deputy Port Director, Peel Ports Mersey Cluster
Yes, it does Colin but don’t worry. All the plants and trees need carbon dioxide to live and produce oxygen for us to breathe. Take out the carbon dioxide and not only does the organic plant life die, but so do we along with every other life form on earth.
Its all Bull Sh*t
Isn’t biomass wood? Surely burning wood creates carbon dioxide.
Ah yes but it’s the “net” that’s important ……. Plant more trees and they take it back up again, in a decade it so.
Never mind shipping the biomass from Canada, transporting it in Canada and to Drax, and as I understand the biomass needs drying before burning and that’s not done outside in the sun!
Oh and there are some studies suggesting that old growth forest may be being cleared as well.