Drax Group plc is a leading renewable energy company focused on enabling a zero-carbon, lower-cost energy future. Established as a major player in renewable power generation, Drax operates a portfolio that includes sustainable biomass, hydro-electric, and pumped hydro storage assets across four sites in England and Scotland. The company is the UK’s largest single source of renewable electricity and has a global bioenergy supply business producing compressed wood pellets in the US and Canada for its own use and for customers in Europe and Asia. Employing around 3,200 people, Drax is committed to transforming its power generation from coal to sustainable biomass, aiming to halve its carbon footprint within five years through converting generating units to biomass and deploying innovative Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) technology internationally.
Drax’s lobbying activities are governed by a robust political engagement and lobbying policy overseen by its Board of Directors and Ethics and Business Conduct Committee. The company engages with governments and political parties to ensure energy and environmental policies are well-informed and balanced, particularly focusing on EU legislative files such as biomass sustainability, wood pellet imports, power generation, emissions trading, taxonomy, carbon removals certification, and climate law. Drax’s lobbying efforts include influencing EU policy on industrial carbon management, CO2 transport infrastructure, corporate sustainability reporting, and green claims.
Since its registration in the EU Transparency Register in May 2013, Drax has spent between €1.25 million and €1.5 million on lobbying activities in 2023 alone, with a full-time equivalent of 1.85 lobbyists, including one with European Parliament accreditation. The company has held 13 high-level meetings with the European Commission, reflecting its active engagement in shaping EU energy and environmental policy. Drax also networks with various affiliated organizations and participates in advisory groups and industry forums to support its strategic objectives.
Drax’s lobbying approach is characterized by transparency and compliance with legal and ethical standards, recognizing the importance of legitimate lobbying in democratic processes. The company’s political engagement aims to influence decisions that affect energy transition and climate goals while maintaining strong governance to avoid reputational risks and legal penalties. Overall, Drax’s lobbying profile demonstrates its commitment to advancing renewable energy policies and technologies at the EU level to support its ambitious roadmap toward a sustainable energy future
