Drax Plans 1.2GW AI Datacentre Amid Carbon Emission Warnings
Drax plans to convert part of its North Yorkshire biomass plant into a 1.2GW datacentre, sparking criticism over projected carbon emissions and environmental standards.
The energy company Drax plans to convert a portion of its biomass power plant in North Yorkshire into a 1.2GW datacentre to meet the growing demand for artificial intelligence. The company argues the project will support UK economic growth, industrial renewal, and AI sovereignty.
Environmental critics have challenged the project's sustainability. An analysis by the Natural Resources Defense Council estimates the facility would burn 4.9 million tonnes of wood annually, releasing 8.6 million tonnes of CO2 per year. This figure is nearly double the 2024 emissions of all flights from Gatwick airport. Drax has dismissed these assertions as inaccurate, claiming they are based on errors regarding biomass accounting standards.
Campaigners from the Global Action Plan have described the plan as "indefensible" and called for a government moratorium on datacentres until pollution standards are established. Toby Perkins, chair of the Commons environmental audit committee, warned that without proper measures, such facilities could threaten legally binding climate goals.
While Scottish MPs voted in September to pause new datacentre applications for up to a year, the Government of the United Kingdom has ruled out a national moratorium, citing the need to protect investment and jobs.
