DB Cargo UK has announced that all trains it operates for Drax Group in and out of the UK’s largest renewable energy plant near Selby, will be powered by HVO.
The decision by Drax Group, a producer of renewable energy, has been taken as part of its ongoing programme to reduce its carbon footprint.
DB Cargo UK currently transports around 4.5 million tonnes of biomass pellets to Drax Power Station each year, operating around 60 trains a week.
In a press release, DB Cargo UK cited estimations that the switch will result in a 90% emissions cut that will save over 12,000 tonnes of carbon each year.
DB Cargo UK’s Chief Sales Officer Roger Neary said the decision by Drax to adopt the use of HVO in its trains was a win-win for both companies.
“The Government had set the rail industry a stretching target to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and remove all diesel only traction by 2040 so the use of HVO in our trains will go a long way to helping us meet that challenge. At the same time, it will help Drax meet its own sustainability targets and minimise its impact on the environment,” said Neary.
Neary added:
“Until a firm commitment is made to electrification of the UK network, HVO is the only credible solution to rail freight decarbonisation. More services could be operated with HVO if the right policies and incentives were in place to enable more customers to make the switch.”
Commenting on the decision, Bruce Heppenstall, Plant Director at Drax Power Station, said rail freight was already a more sustainable method of transporting the pellets than road:
“We are proud that DB Cargo’s HVO powered trains service Drax Power Station. We are committed to decarbonising our supply chains and, through deploying the carbon removals technology, bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, we aim to become a carbon negative business. Drax Power Station uses high volumes of biomass to keep the lights on for millions of homes across the UK. Rail freight is a cleaner and greener option for transporting this material and our partnership with DB Cargo prevents thousands of additional journeys by HGVs across the UK’s road network.”