What happened: Drax power plant owner was paid nearly £1 billion in subsidies last year for generating electricity from biomass, mainly wood pellets. The company has received about £8.7 billion in renewable energy subsidies since 2012.
Why it matters:
- The subsidies support biomass energy, which accounts for around 4.5% of Great Britain’s electricity.
- Each UK household effectively pays about £13 annually towards these subsidies, raising concerns about sustainability and costs.
MNN Take: Drax’s biomass subsidies reflect government efforts to promote renewable energy, though questions remain about the environmental impact and long-term sustainability of using wood pellets for power.
Sources: Guardian UK