Latest market news

Drax considering CCS on US wood pellet plant

  • : Biomass
  • 23/05/23

UK power producer Drax is considering an option to build a carbon capture and storage (CCS) facility on an existing pellet plant in Louisiana, US. It aims to take a final investment decision (FID) in the coming two years and commission the site in 2026.

The company expects to remove 100,000 t/yr of CO2 through this investment, "providing an early demonstration of the technology", it said in a press statement ahead of its capital markets day on 23 May. The capital cost of the project is estimated at $150mn. This will help "fulfil the increasing demand for carbon dioxide removals (CDR) in the mid-2020s", chief innovation officer Jason Shipston said.

Drax also has plans for two newbuild bioenergy with CCS (Beccs) power plants, which could capture a combined 6mn t/yr of CO2 by 2030.

Total investment for each plant would be around $2bn, which includes the construction of a power generating unit and the CCS systems. It is aiming to reach an FID on both projects in 2026 and begin commercial operations by 2030, Drax said during the capital markets day. This is later than the start-up dates Drax announced in September, of 2028 and 2029.

The design of the newbuild Beccs plants will enable a wider choice of biomass feedstock to be used, such as wood chips, Drax said. The chosen location is close to sources of sustainable biomass, and carbon dioxide will be removed permanently from the two sites. These factors are expected "to significantly reduce operating costs of the newbuild Beccs units", compared with retrofit units, the firm said.

The two newbuild sites and Drax's Beccs project in the UK will contribute to a combined goal of 14mn t/yr of CO2 removal by 2030. Drax is also evaluating nine other Beccs sites in north America, "creating a pipeline of development opportunities into the 2030s".

Drax has been testing Beccs at its 2.6GW wood pellet-fired power plant in Selby, North Yorkshire since 2018, and plans to invest £2bn ($2.5bn) in the project. The plant would remove 8mn t/yr of CO2 by 2030. The project did not progress to the next stage of the UK government's funding programme for carbon capture developments — the so-called Track 1 phase — but Drax and the government are in bilateral talks and the government is expected to take a decision on the project by the end of the summer.

FIDs for all of Drax's projects would be subject to each achieving its stated milestones, including progress on commercial arrangements and clarity on regulatory and funding mechanisms, Drax said.

Financing US Beccs

Drax aims to combine a number of financing options to fund its Beccs projects in the US, including power purchase agreements, long-term CDR offtake agreements and a direct pay tax incentive under the US' inflation reduction act (IRA). The IRA, which was approved in August 2022, sets financial support for Beccs at $85/short US tonnes ($93.50/metric tonnes) of removed and permanently sequestered CO2 from fuel combustion by any new CCS facility built within the next 10 years.

Drax "believes that the role of high-quality, permanent removals, such as Beccs and direct air CCS, will grow significantly as governments and companies take action to address their own carbon footprints", it said.

The firm earlier this year signed an initial agreement with environmental consultant C-Zero Markets for the sale of 2,000t of carbon removal credits from Drax's first US Beccs project, which puts the credits at $300/t. It also signed an agreement in September with carbon market investment firm Respira to supply the voluntary carbon market with up to 2mn t of CDRs over a five-year period from Drax's US Beccs projects.

Drax has hired 80 employees across the US and Canada and is in the process of establishing a global Beccs headquarters in Houston, Texas. The firm is also assessing options for Beccs on existing non-Drax assets and is continuing to screen other regions, including Europe and Australasia, it said.

Drax aims to become a carbon-negative company by 2030 by being a "global leader in carbon removals and sustainable biomass pellets, and a UK leader in dispatchable renewable generation", it said.

Drax's outlook for 2023 remains unchanged from its trading update in April.


Related news posts

Argus illuminates the markets by putting a lens on the areas that matter most to you. The market news and commentary we publish reveals vital insights that enable you to make stronger, well-informed decisions. Explore a selection of news stories related to this one.

24/09/03

Enviva files restructuring plan

Enviva files restructuring plan

London, 3 September (Argus) — US wood pellet producer Enviva published a restructuring plan on 30 August, along with a disclosure statement under its chapter 11 bankruptcy case. Holders of claims and interests entitled to vote on the plan can do so until 6 November. A bankruptcy court hearing to approve the disclosure statement and a backstop motion is scheduled for 4 October. The deadline to vote on the restructuring plan is 16:00 ET on 6 November. Only holders of claims in class 5 and 6 and interests in class 10 are entitled to vote ( see tables ). The disclosure statement is intended to provide voters with information to understand the restructuring plan and its effects on creditors and equity holders. The backstop commitment agreement was executed by debtors and "equity commitment parties" on 30 August to facilitate the rights offering ( see key terms, below ). Other stakeholders that initially supported the restructuring — which hold over 82pc of the senior secured credit facility claims, 98pc of 2026 notes claims, 92pc of the Bond plant green bond claims, and 78pc of the Epes plant green bond claims — have agreed to support the plan, subject to terms and conditions of the two restructuring support agreements signed with debtors. Enviva filed a voluntary petition for chapter 11 bankruptcy on 12 March. The plan's key terms • The sale of "reorganised Enviva Inc. interests pursuant to a rights offering" for $250mn of equity rights plus the principal amount of any debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing facility's tranche A claims that choose not to participate in the DIP tranche A equity participation. Enviva secured the $500mn DIP facility on filing for chapter 11 bankruptcy. The $250mn tranche A could be converted into reorganised equity, while the $250mn tranche B could only be paid in cash at maturity. Holders of tranche A claims can subscribe for the purchase of reorganised Enviva interests on the date the restructuring plan becomes effective, which is expected to allow Enviva to repay the DIP and senior secured credit facility claims in cash. • Entry into a $1bn "first lien senior secured exit facility"; • The DIP tranche A equity participation; • Repayment of the DIP tranche A claims; • Repayment of senior secured credit facility claims in cash; • Distribution of reorganised Enviva's interests and rights to "participate in the rights offering to the Bond [plant project's] general unsecured claims"; • Distribution of cash that in total equals either $13mn or $18mn — depending on whether certain conditions are met — to holders of non-Bond general unsecured claims; and • An overbid process "to solicit bids for a value-maximising alternative transaction". The latter might take the form of (a) one or more sales or dispositions of Enviva's assets, or (b) one or more reorganisation transactions involving the debtors and/or the company assets. "Alternative transactions" need to meet certain requirements set out in the final DIP agreement approved by the court. The debtors looked at other restructuring options, but have concluded the plan submitted will maximise recoveries for stakeholders, Enviva said. By Marta Imarisio and Erisa Senerdem Enviva's restructuring plan voting classes Voting class Name of class under plan Class 5 Bond general unsecured claims Class 6 Non-Bond general unsecured claims Class 10 Existing equity interests - Enviva's court docket Enviva's classification of claims and interests Class Claim/Interest Status Plan voting rights Approximate % recovery 1 Other priority claims Unimpaired No, presumed to accept 100.0 2 Other secured claims Unimpaired No, presumed to accept 100.0 3 Senior secured credit facility claims Unimpaired No, presumed to accept 100.0 4 NMTC claims Unimpaired No, presumed to accept 100.0 5 Bond general unsecured claims Impaired Entitled to vote 7.7-7.9 6 Non-Bond general unsecured claims Impaired Entitled to vote Pro rata share of an amount of Allowed Non-Bond General Unsecured Claims 7 Intercompany claims Unimpaired/Impaired Not entitled to vote N/A 8 Section 510(b) claims Impaired Not entitled to vote, deemed to reject 0.0 9 Intercompany interests Unimpaired/Impaired Not entitled to vote N/A 10 Existing equity interests Impaired Entitled to vote N/A - Enviva's court docket Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Japan's Taketoyo biomass co-fired plant delayed further


24/09/03
24/09/03

Japan's Taketoyo biomass co-fired plant delayed further

Tokyo, 3 September (Argus) — The 1.1GW coal and biomass co-fired Taketoyo No.5 generation unit, managed by Japan's largest power producer Jera, faces further delays in coming back on line after a fire in January. Jera today announced safety measures to prevent the same kind of incident that led to the fire but failed to comment on when the unit is expected to restart operations. It has been off line following the fire, linked to exploding dust from wood pellets, according to the company's investigation. The company aims to resume coal and wood pellets co-firing "as soon as possible", although it has yet to start repairs. Jera also plans to resume burning wood pellets imported from the US and Vietnam. The company new safety measures include slowing down the speed of wood pellet conveyors to reduce friction, partially installing air pressure conveying facilities dedicated to wood pellets and equipping explosion suppressor systems for injecting fire extinguishing agents. Slowing down the wood pellet conveyors can affect the co-firing rate with coal and biomass, although the electricity output will not change, the company said. The unit started commercial operations in August 2022 and burned 17pc of wood pellets with coal. The impact of the closure of the unit because of the incident is estimated to cost more than ¥10bn ($68.5mn) for the 2024-25 fiscal year ending 31 March, with around half of it being replacement fuel costs that are mainly LNG purchases. By Takeshi Maeda Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

India's Sail starts trialling biochar for steelmaking


24/08/29
24/08/29

India's Sail starts trialling biochar for steelmaking

Mumbai, 29 August (Argus) — India's state-controlled Steel Authority of India (Sail) has started using biochar for steelmaking at its plant in Odisha state to bring down carbon emissions. Sail carried out a trial injection of biochar in blast furnace (BF) 1 of its Rourkela Steel Plant on 24 August, the steelmaker said. Biochar — produced by thermally decomposing biomass derived from plants and animals — can partially replace pulverised coal injection in BFs, Sail said. The company did not provide any specific timelines. Steelmakers in India are largely reliant on traditional BF technology, which uses coal as a reducing agent to produce iron and releases vast amounts of carbon in the process. Coal-based BFs account for 73pc of India's total operating iron-making capacity, according to data from Global Energy Monitor. There has also been a global push towards finding alternatives to fossil fuels in steelmaking, as countries commit to achieving net zero emissions. In recent days, at least four Japanese steelmakers have tested the use of biocarbon — widely known as biochar — as a replacement for fossil fuels in their electric arc furnaces. In July, Tata Steel also tested the use of biomass as a feedstock at its ferro-chrome unit in east India's Odisha state. Sail's Rourkela plant has a crude steel capacity of 4.2mn t/yr and produces hot-rolled and coil-rolled steel as well as some long products. The company's total crude steel production fell by 7pc to 4.68mn t in April-June, compared with the previous quarter. By Amruta Khandekar Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Japan’s wood pellet imports hit record high in July


24/08/29
24/08/29

Japan’s wood pellet imports hit record high in July

Tokyo, 29 August (Argus) — Japan's biomass imports rose in July on the year and on the month, with wood pellet imports hitting a record high. Japan imported 673,000t of wood pellets in July, up by 17pc on the year and by 27pc on the month, according to data released by the country's finance ministry. This was the largest amount on record. Vietnam was Japan's top supplier last month at 369,000t, higher by 45pc from a year earlier and by 60pc by June, which also marked a record high for shipments from the country. The second biggest supplier was Canada at 177,000t. The country's palm kernel shell (PKS) imports were 505,000t in July, higher by 3pc on the year and by 6pc on the month. Indonesia remained the largest supplier at 383,000t, followed by Malaysia at 118,000t. The 75MW Yatsushiro plant in Kumamoto prefecture started commercial operations in mid-June. The 50MW Ozu in Ehime prefecture was conducting test runs before becoming on line at the beginning of August. But the 52MW Ishikari-shinko plant in Hokkaido prefecture halted operations, after an explosion in mid-July. It has been unclear when its generation will be able to resume. By Takeshi Maeda Japan's imports by key sourcing countries 1,000t Wood Pellet Jul-24 Jun-24 Jul-23 m-o-m ± % y-o-y ± % Canada 176.7 120.5 181.4 46.7 -2.6 Thailand 0.0 8.0 0.0 -100.0 - Indonesia 0.4 31.3 10.9 -98.6 -96.0 Vietnam 368.6 230.0 253.4 60.3 45.5 Malaysia 21.1 58.1 9.0 -63.7 134.1 US 106.3 80.3 118.5 32.4 -10.3 Total 673.4 528.2 573.3 27.5 17.4 PKS Indonesia 383.1 321.4 379.3 19.2 1.0 Malaysia 118.1 142.0 108.9 -16.9 8.4 Sri Lanka 3.1 2.4 2.2 29.5 38.8 Vietnam 0.5 0.4 0.4 41.4 42.4 Thailand 0.1 11.4 0.1 -99.0 33.1 Others 0.5 0.6 0.2 -2.8 131.2 Total 505.4 478.1 491.2 5.7 2.9 Source: Finance Ministry Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Swedish Energy Agency opens BECCS reverse auction


24/08/28
24/08/28

Swedish Energy Agency opens BECCS reverse auction

London, 28 August (Argus) — The Swedish Energy Agency has opened the first call for tenders in Sweden's state aid package for carbon capture and storage (CCS) from biomass through reverse auction. Beneficiaries granted the support will be allowed to sell such CCS credits, but the "the credits will be deducted from the state aid to avoid overcompensation", the Swedish Energy Agency told Argus in an emailed reply on 28 August. The call for proposals closes on 21 November 2024. State aid will be granted to beneficiaries for 15 years, for both capital expenditure and operating expenses, starting from when the first tonne of captured biogenic CO2 is permanently stored and verified. Such projects must be able to deliver geologically stored biogenic carbon dioxide no later than three years from the decision on the support, with the possibility of a two-year extension. The potential beneficiaries of the aid will be enterprises carrying out an activity in Sweden that emits biogenic CO2, and which implement biogenic CCS projects leading to negative CO2 emissions with a capacity to capture and store over 50,000 t/yr of biogenic CO2, the Swedish Energy Agency said. The total budget of the state aid scheme, approved by the European Commission in early July, is €3bn ($3.2bn) for distribution in 2026-46, to be awarded through bidding by 31 December 2028. By Marta Imarisio Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Business intelligence reports

Get concise, trustworthy and unbiased analysis of the latest trends and developments in oil and energy markets. These reports are specially created for decision makers who don’t have time to track markets day-by-day, minute-by-minute.

Learn more