Two major British industries have been brought together after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Drax and British Steel to support the development of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS).

It is believed that BECCS could kick-start a whole new sector of the economy and create opportunities for the UK to lead the world in what is being described as ‘a vital technology’ required to address global warming. Furthermore, it is believed that the partnership between Drax and British Steel could aid the British Government’s plans to ‘level up’ the North of England with the South and help the UK meet its climate targets.

“We are excited to be partnering with British Steel as we continue to progress our world-leading UK BECCS project,” said Will Gardner, CEO of Drax Group.”This country has a once in a lifetime opportunity to lead the world in vital new green technologies like BECCS, which will not only support thousands of UK jobs, but could also create new export opportunities, whilst helping to tackle the climate crisis.”

“There are real synergies between what we’re trying to achieve and Drax’s ambitions with BECCS."

Allan Bell, chief commercial and procurement officer, British Steel

British Steel’s chief commercial and procurement officer, Allan Bell, said he was proud to be working with Drax to explore what he called a major infrastructure project that will create jobs and make use of the company’s steel products. “There are real synergies between what we’re trying to achieve and Drax’s ambitions with BECCS,” he said, adding that the project will put the UK and the North of England on the world map.

Local MP for Scunthorpe, Holly Mumby-Croft called the signing ‘really positive news’ and said she had long thought that British steel should be used in British infrastructure projects ‘not only because we should be supporting our local businesses, but because it’s also the best’.

It is estimated that the BECCS project could be capturing 8Mt of CO2 per year by 2030, making it the largest carbon capture and storage project in the world. Large infrastructure projects like BECCS will support and help protect jobs in the steel sector, says Drax Group.