One of the world's largest coal-fired powerstations is being converted to be able to accept biomass as a co-fired fuel. Last year, Drax Power, which owns and operates a 4000MW coal-fired powerstation in Yorkshire, announced plans to commence construction on a £80 million retrofit project to displace up to 12.5% of its coal with biomass in the existing boilers, generating 500MW of renewable energy. The Drax plant generates around 7% of the UK's electricity needs and, depending upon market dynamics, can generate up to 10% at any one time. During the past two years the company already invested £100 million in a high-efficiency turbine upgrade project to reduce CO_2 emissions. The biomass project will deliver further CO_2 reductions, enhanced fuel flexibility and a financially viable return under the recent climate change legislation.
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