Carbon removals and renewable energy company Drax Group has partnered with Mississippi-based Molpus Woodlands Group in an agreement that will provide Drax with an option to purchase sustainably sourced woody biomass to fuel its bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) operations in the U.S. Southeast.

Drax will have the option to take up to 1 million green tons per year of sustainably sourced fiber under a long-term fiber supply agreement. This supply will anchor Drax’s BECCS developments in the region, which will generate renewable baseload power to contribute toward U.S. energy independence while permanently removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

“The renewable power produced through BECCS will contribute to a more diverse and resilient U.S. power grid, while supporting hundreds of jobs across the U.S. South, particularly in rural communities,” says Arabella Freeman, Senior Vice President of Biomass Strategy at Drax.     

The fiber to be provided through Molpus meets Drax’s high sustainability standards, enabling the production of high-quality carbon dioxide removals (CDR) credits that can be purchased on the voluntary carbon market to help decarbonize other organizations and industries. 

Sustainable fiber is sourced from low-grade roundwood including forest thinnings and residues left over from timber harvesting. Low-grade roundwood is not suitable for sawmilling, and BECCS can provide a valuable new market for this forestry byproduct.

This partnership with Molpus represents a key milestone toward Drax realizing its intent to become a global leader in carbon removals through the implementation of BECCS technology, with the goal of capturing 6 million metric tons of carbon a year in the U.S. 

Drax’s new and future BECCS projects could also result in hundreds of permanent jobs, with thousands more supported during construction and through the supply chain. Landowners will also be incentivized to practice sustainable forest management to improve the health and resilience of forests for generations to come.

“Drax shares our passion for responsible forest management and, in bringing BECCS to the Southeastern U.S., will provide a valuable use for the fiber sourced from sustainable forest management practices, lumber production, and other related industries,” says Terrell Winstead, President and CEO at Molpus. “Together, we look forward to supplying value to the power grid, economy, environment, and local communities throughout the region for years to come.”