The independent analysis by Oxford Economics measured the economic impact of Drax’s UK operations, which includes Drax Power Station, near Selby in North US – the country’s biggest renewable power generator, which produces enough renewable electricity for four million homes.

Thousands more jobs could be created in the years ahead as part of Drax’s plan to deploy bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) technology.

A report by Vivid Economics found that deploying green technologies like BECCS and hydrogen could create and support almost 50,000 jobs in the Humber region this decade.

Will Gardiner, CEO of Drax Group, said: “Drax’s renewable power operations and sophisticated supply chains are helping level up the UK by supporting jobs, skills and opportunities.

“We aim to go further by deploying cutting edge green technologies like bioenergy with carbon capture and storage to help Britain build back better, delivering a post-Covid, green economic recovery by vital new technologies needed to address the climate crisis.”

Jobs supported by Drax’s activities covered a wide range of sectors including manufacturing of industrial components, IT and professional business services.

James Bedford, economist at Oxford Economics, said: “Drax Group makes an important economic contribution to the UK. Its activities generated £2.2bn in GDP in 2019, and sustained thousands of jobs across the nation.

“The positive impact from Drax’s operations aren’t just confined to the boundaries of its power stations or customer contact centres, it is spread across the country benefiting communities throughout the UK.”