Energy Minister Charles Hendry gave the go-ahead for two new biomass stations in Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire, which combined will produce enough electricity to meet the needs of over a million homes.

The minister gave formal consent to:

• Drax Biomass (Selby) Limited for a 299MW biomass-fuelled power station on land at the existing 4000 MW Drax Power Station site in Selby, North Yorkshire, and
• Drax Biomass (Immingham) Limited for a 299MW biomass-fuelled power station at South Killingholme near Immingham

Charles Hendry said:

"It is vital that we get investment in new power stations up and down the country to ensure secure energy supplies for people’s homes and businesses.

"I am very pleased to give the go-ahead for these two new biomass power stations in Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire. They will not only enhance our security of supply, but provide low-carbon electricity that reduces our carbon dioxide emissions."

The Ouse Renewable Energy Plant at Selby and the Heron Renewable Energy Plant at Immingham will each produce enough electricity to more than 500,000 homes. During construction, both developments will employ an average of around 600 people on site and have total workforces of around 150 when operational.