Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to legislate to prevent the Drax power station burning wood from primary forests for producing non-subsidised electricity.

The Government only provides support for biomass sourced from forests which are sustainably managed.

Under the agreed Heads of Terms for short term support from 2027-2031, Drax must source 100% of its biomass from sustainable sources, and must exclude primary forest to receive support. Drax will be supported at a 27% load factor and we do not anticipate they will be incentivised to generate further, without subsidies.

Nevertheless, we are considering further options through the new contract and the consultation on the Common Biomass Sustainability Framework to provide additional protection for primary forests.