London, 16 April 2026 – New Ember analysis shows that Drax biomass power station received a record £999 million in subsidies in 2025, costing every UK household £13 per year.
Drax is the UK’s largest emitter, and has been for the last ten consecutive years. However, Drax is eligible for public payments as emissions from burning woody biomass are zero-rated in carbon accounting. Despite the level of emissions, analysis by Ember reveals that subsidies rose by 15% in 2025 compared to 2024.
In April 2026, Drax power station entered the final twelve months of high subsidy payments under the current scheme. While payments are set to halve to around £460 million annually from 2027, the scale of biomass burning all but guarantees Drax will be the UK’s largest emitter until at least 2030.
“Nearly £1 billion for woody biomass burning is an astonishing high-water mark for public subsidies – and a problematic one as prices soar,” said report author Frankie Mayo. “While it’s a relief these overly generous payments will halve from 2027, British taxpayers should never have been in this position in the first place.”