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Written question asked by Oliver Dowden (Conservative) on Wednesday, 13 May 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 18 May 2026. It was answered by Michael Shanks (Labour) on Friday, 22 May 2026 on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.


Drax Power Station: Timber

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether the findings of the paper published in Nature Sustainability on 20 April 2026 titled "Decades of increased emissions from forest-fuelled BECCS" conflict with the modelling underpinning the Department's decision to provide new subsidies to Drax for 2027 to 2031; and if he will now order a review of his modelling.

Answer

The case for awarding the 2027-31 Low-Carbon Dispatchable Contract for Difference to Drax was based on short to medium-term security of supply needs as identified by the National Energy System operator (NESO). Longer-term system needs, and considerations around Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage, are considered as part of the government’s forward planning in delivering Carbon Budgets and clean power system requirements.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
248
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Timber Drax power station
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk