ONE of the biggest Government investments in the history of Selby has been welcomed in the 2013 budget.

George Osborne announced yesterday he wanted to invest in new fuels and carbon capture schemes with Drax Power Ltd named as one of the recipients.

The power station was one of eight to be shortlisted for a share in £1bn in Government investment, towards a new carbon capture plant - which would 90 per cent of carbon dioxide emissions from burning coal and biomass transported by underground pipes for storage beneath the North Sea seabed.

Peter Emery, production director at Drax, said: "We are very, very pleased, together with our partners, to have been selected. We think its a very exciting project, and we're looking forward to working with the Government to develop it further."

Drax, along with partners Alstom and BOC, will negotiate with the Government over the White Rose Project, with funding from all three companies also going into the scheme, which would be built on spare land at the existing station.

Mr Emery said: "It's a long way to go with CCS, we're at the start of a journey and have some tough negotiations to go, but at least the pathway is open to make this work."

Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty, welcomed the announcement, which was made shortly before he led a debate on the future of biomass technology.

Mr Adams said: “To my knowledge, this is one of the biggest investments ever undertaken by the Government in the local area. CCS has the potential to provide carbon neutral electricity, securing the energy supply in an efficient and green way.

“There is also larger potential with all other power stations in the area that, this this trial is successful, for the other stations to hook into the network and any other large emitters of CO2 so could make massive impact in decarbonisation strategy. But most importantly, I’m very excited by the job prospects and local investment, and congratulate everyone at Drax and the bid partners for the work they have done and the Government energy department for putting their faith in the White Rose Project.”