A NORTH Yorkshire power station has been criticised over its emissions.

An investigation by NGO Biofuelwatch said the partial conversion of Drax Power Station to burn wood pellets - or biomass - had increased emissions of dust particles in the area by 135 per cent.

The report claimed this was the equivalent of adding three million diesel cars to the roads each year and could be linked to a range of health problems including cancer, heart disease and neurological diseases.

Claire Robertson, the report’s lead author, criticised the power station and the local authority responsible for monitoring air quality.

But Andy Koss, the CEO of Drax Power CEO said: “Our emissions are closely monitored by the Environment Agency and are well within statutory limits. We manage all our emissions to the atmosphere and have invested heavily to make sure that we comply with all air emission limits. For example, last year we reduced our NOx emissions by 53 per cent.

“We have upgraded half of the power station to use sustainable biomass instead of coal making Drax the UK’s largest single site renewable power generator. Last year we produced 16 per cent of the UK’s renewable electricity, enough to power four million households. Our biomass generating units deliver carbon savings of 68 per cent compared to gas power stations and 80 per cent compared to when they used coal. In addition, we’re cost effective, producing 16 per cent of the power for 10 per cent of the government support paid to renewable electricity generators.”

Ms Robertson said: “In terms of air pollution, burning coal and burning wood are both terrible, and really for public health and for the natural environment.”

A spokesman for the Environment Agency, which regulates power stations, said conditions had been imposed on Drax to ensure the environment and communities were not put at risk.

He said: “We can confirm that Drax is currently compliant with its permit, which specifies conditions regarding limits for emissions to air. The company must carry out monitoring for particulates as part of their day-to-day operations, and our officers regulate the site closely to ensure that it complies with the requirements of the permit.”