A senior policy expert from Drax, a major biomass power station operator in the UK, raised serious doubts about the truthfulness of the company’s claims regarding its wood pellet sourcing. This came to light during an employment tribunal.
Tanisha Beebee, who was the senior government policy manager at Drax, shared her concerns about statements made by the CEO, Will Gardiner, in response to a BBC investigation into Drax’s sustainability practices. The company, which has received significant government support to shift from coal to biomass, primarily obtains its wood pellets from North America.
In a 2022 BBC Panorama documentary, Drax was accused of cutting down critical forests in Canada for its wood pellets, contradicting its sustainability messaging. Drax argued that a majority of its pellets come from sawmill leftovers and waste materials.
Following the documentary, Gardiner claimed Drax does not source wood from primary forests, addressing public concerns. Beebee’s internal comments from May 2023 indicated that she felt the company’s public statements were misleading and difficult to defend in government meetings.
Beebee stated, “We shouldn’t take from primary forests, even if they are dead trees. We’ve claimed we don’t source from them, but it seems we might be.” Her remarks are part of a larger document submitted in a tribunal concerning the former head of public affairs, Rowaa Ahmar, who alleged unfair dismissal after expressing similar concerns about biomass sourcing.
Drax has denied those allegations and claimed that there was a breakdown of trust between Ahmar and other staff. The tribunal concluded with a settlement last March.
A subsequent investigation by Ofgem identified misreporting by Drax related to its biomass sourcing but concluded it was not intentional. Additionally, a separate investigation from the Financial Conduct Authority regarding Drax’s statements is currently ongoing.
Documents from the tribunal also revealed that Drax’s communications about its practices were carefully checked by various internal teams to ensure accuracy due to anticipated scrutiny from NGOs.
Despite the repeated public debate about biomass emissions—Drax’s emissions aren’t counted in the UK’s total under specific carbon accounting rules—the company insists that most of its biomass is sourced sustainably. The UK stipulates that 70% of biomass for subsidized power generation must come from sustainable origins, with stringent reporting requirements for energy companies.
In summary, while Drax has attempted to counter claims of environmental misconduct, internal documents highlight growing concerns within the company. The situation underscores the complexities surrounding biomass energy policies and sustainability practices. Drax maintains its commitment to addressing employee concerns respectfully and responsibly.