DRAX Power Station’s engineering achievements were celebrated with a special award from the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) as the business progresses with its latest engineering project.

As part of its 200th anniversary celebrations, the ICE is recognising 10 significant engineering infrastructure assets and ten engineers across each UK region.

Drax Power Station has been selected as one of the 10 major infrastructure assets for Yorkshire and Humberside, and received a special commemorative plaque, which recognises Drax’s continued contribution to engineering.

The presentation came ahead of Drax reporting that its application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) for its Repower gas generation and battery storage project has been accepted for examination by the Planning Inspectorate.

Drax Power cheif executive, Andy Koss, accepted the plaque on behalf of the power station, surrounded by its engineers, employees and apprentices, as well as some potential future engineers from Camblesforth Primary school.

He said: “Drax Power Station is not just an iconic feature of the Yorkshire landscape, it is also home to some of the very best engineers in the world.

“We are honoured to be recognised for the contribution our Drax engineers have made to the UK and to celebrate our heritage.

“Drax is a critical part of the nation’s infrastructure and last year we produced 15 per cent of the UK’s renewable power. Our team of talented engineers converted three of our six generating units to run on sustainable biomass and our fourth is being converted this summer.”

Mark Calvert, chairman of the Yorkshire and Humber committee at the ICE said: “ICE 200 is a fantastic celebration of great works of engineering and achievements across the country and it’s wonderful to see so many engineers who have contributed so much to Drax power Station over the years.”

Drax’s next engineering project is gathering pace after its Repower scheme was accepted for examination by the Planning Inspectorate.

Plans to replace Drax’s remaining coal generating units with up to 3.6 gigawatts (GW) of high efficiency gas-fired power generation and up to 200 megawatts (MW) of battery storage were first set out in September 2017.

Since then the company has been developing engineering and environmental reports for the application, as well as carrying out an extensive consultation programme with local people, landowners, councils and authorities.

The proposals will now be examined by an independent planning inspector before being considered by the relevant Secretary of State with a decision expected in 2019.