Drax wins British American Business Transatlantic Growth Award

Drax Group (Drax) has been announced as the winner of a British American Business (BAB) Transatlantic Growth Award in the Midsize Growth and Investments category.

BAB is a trade association that incorporates the British-American Chamber of Commerce in the U.S. and the American Chamber of Commerce in the U.K. The organization’s Transatlantic Growth Awards are an annual event, held to highlight the stories of businesses of all sizes that underpin the trade and investment relationship between the U.K. and the U.S. Drax received the award for its plans to deploy and develop the large-scale and high-integrity carbon removals technology bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) in the U.S.

In 2024, Drax announced it would establish a new independent business unit which is focused on becoming the global leader in carbon removals. The new business will be headquartered in Houston, Texas, and will oversee the development and construction of new-build BECCS plants.

In the U.K., Drax currently generates around 8% of the U.K.’s renewable power and has played a crucial role in decarbonizing the country’s energy system through converting North Yorkshire’s Drax Power Station to biomass generation. The company also plans to install two BECCS units at the Selby site.

Drax’s group director of corporate affairs, Ross McKenzie, accepted the award on behalf of the company at a ceremony at the Institute of Directors in London.

“The strength of the U.S.-U.K. trade and investment relationship is underpinned by organizations like Drax, who look across the Atlantic as a source of innovation, stability, and prosperity. We are pleased to recognize their commitment to investing in the future of carbon capture and sustainable energy in the United States,” stated Duncan Edwards, CEO of British American Business.

“I am delighted to accept this award on behalf of Drax. It is an honour for Drax to be recognized by BritishAmerican Business for the role that we play and the plans we have on both sides of the Atlantic,” McKenzie said. “Our mission is to enable a zero carbon, lower cost energy future. We are developing options to build BECCS facilities in the US and also at Drax Power Station in the UK that will generate millions of permanent, high-integrity carbon removals as well as 24/7 power to compliment other sources of renewable energy.
“Receiving this award reflects our commitment to continue exploring innovative ways to power economic growth and benefit communities while preserving our planet for future generations.”