Drax, the UK’s largest biomass power station, remained the country’s biggest carbon emitter for the eleventh consecutive year in 2025, releasing a record 14.1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e).
Analysis from Ember highlights the debate over biomass power generation as Drax continued to outpace every other UK power station in greenhouse gas emissions despite receiving substantial government support.
Ember analyst Josie Murdoch in a report said Drax emitted four times more CO2e than the UK’s second-largest emitter, Pembroke gas power station. Its emissions were greater than the combined emissions of the country’s six largest gas-fired power stations, underlining the significant environmental impact of biomass-based electricity generation.
Despite these record emissions, Drax received a record £999 million in public subsidies during 2025 to generate electricity from biomass. Ember estimates this support cost UK households around £13 each, raising questions about the long-term value of subsidizing biomass power.
Fuel sourcing data reveals that Drax remains heavily dependent on imported biomass. More than 99 percent of the fuel burned in 2025 was imported, with 86.7 percent sourced from the United States and Canada. Another 13.2 percent came from Europe, primarily Latvia, while less than 1 percent originated within the UK, despite longstanding recommendations to strengthen domestic biomass production.
The subsidy framework is set to change over the coming years. After entering the final twelve months of its current high-subsidy arrangement in April 2026, Drax will transition to a new public subsidy mechanism from April 2027 that introduces a cap on electricity generation from biomass. Under the revised scheme, the company’s annual emissions are projected to decline significantly to around 5.8 million tonnes of CO2e.
However, even after the reduction, Ember projects Drax will continue to emit more carbon dioxide equivalent than the UK’s second-largest emitter, making it highly likely to retain its position as the country’s biggest emitter until at least 2030. The findings reinforce ongoing concerns about the climate impact and economic cost of biomass power generation as the UK continues its transition toward lower-carbon electricity sources.
BABURAJAN KIZHAKEDATH
