Drax Group has highlighted rising electricity demand in Britain, with AI and data centres expected to increase pressure on power generation, storage and transmission infrastructure.
Data centres already account for 6% of electricity consumption in the UK and US combined, while AI and data centres could represent up to 16% of Britain’s electricity demand within a decade. UK electricity demand could double by 2050.
Drax Power Station recently became Britain’s single largest electricity generator at points during Storm Austen and Storm Boelo, providing dispatchable power and essential grid support when strong winds generated more renewable electricity than the network could transport or store.
The company believes greater investment in transmission, energy storage and flexible generation will be needed to support rising demand and make better use of renewable electricity.
Drax Chief Commercial Officer Paul Sheffield has also highlighted the changing power requirements of AI and data centres, arguing that flexibility will be as important as additional generation. A combination of renewable energy, dispatchable power, storage and smart energy management will be needed to balance electricity supply and demand.
Drax Chief Operating Officer Lee Dawes has called for stronger transmission networks and improved grid connections, particularly as electricity generation increasingly shifts towards Scotland and northern England while demand remains concentrated elsewhere.
Alongside its energy activities, Drax Group US achieved its first Great Place to Work Certification, based on employee feedback. The company also brought together senior leaders at its Global Leadership Conference to discuss organisational culture and business priorities.
In Selby, Drax and Up For Yorkshire have helped establish a 12-month community action plan focused on employability, high street activity, health and wellbeing.
Drax Group plc (LON:DRX), trading as Drax, is a power generation business. The principal downstream enterprises are based in the UK and include Drax Power Limited, which runs the biomass fuelled Drax power station, near Selby in North Yorkshire.
