Four year project to make Drax 'greener'

Published on 22nd February 2007 in News

The UK's biggest coal-fired power station has signed a £100 million deal to upgrade its turbines and cut carbon dioxide pollution by up to five per cent.

The huge Drax Power Station is revamping the steam turbines in a four-year project.

In August protesters tried to shut down the plant, claiming it was the 'largest emitter of carbon dioxide in the UK'.

The deal has been signed with Siemens Power Generation and the work is expected to last for the next four years.

Drax claims the revamp will result in a saving of one million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year - the equivalent of taking 275,000 cars off the road.

The move will also reduce the amount of coal it burns by 500,000 tonnes each year.

The main part of the project will be carried out in 2008, although some early, limited work will start later this year.