Siemens has secured a £40 million contract to upgrade turbines on three biomass units at an electricity production plant in North Yorkshire.

The three-year scheme will see one biomass unit upgraded each year as part of its planned major overhaul by Drax Power to boost efficiencies and maintenance savings at the plant.

Under the deal, Siemens will fit new high tech pipework and valves along with new high efficiency blading and long life seals within the turbines on biomass units 1, 2 and 3.

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Andy Koss, Drax Power Chief Executive Officer, said: "We firmly believe that biomass has a long-term role to play in the UK’s energy infrastructure. We’re looking at a number of ways to bring down the costs of our biomass generation – and these turbine upgrades are an important part of that work.

"Reducing the costs of our biomass operations will help to preserve the life of the plant and protect jobs, whilst we continue to produce the flexible, renewable power millions of homes and businesses rely on."

Darren Davidson, Managing Director, Power Generation Services, Power and Gas, Siemens added: "Siemens and Drax have a long-standing and proud partnership so it’s fantastic that we will now help them further develop their biomass solution.

"Once delivered this project will improve plant efficiency and flexibility and provide a further source of low carbon power to UK homes, businesses and services."

(LM/MH)