A new economic analysis conducted by MNP, one of Canada’s leading professional services and research firms, has found that Drax Group contributed CA$1 billion towards the Canadian economy and supported more than 3,000 jobs in 2023.
The MNP study “Economic Impacts of Drax Group’s Canadian Operations” measured the economic impact of Drax’s Canadian operations, which include ten wood pellet plants across British Columbia (BC) and Alberta (AB), producing pellets from sustainable biomass to generate renewable power in the UK and Asia.
We take pride in the longstanding role we play in making Canada a renewable energy leader and we are grateful for the many employees, both our own and across our supply chain, for their dedication to building a strong clean energy workforce in communities across Canada, said Liezl van Wyk, VP of Northern Operations, Drax Group.
The report also showed Drax’s commitment to sourcing from local suppliers by purchasing nearly 75 percent of its goods and services from those based within the respective province of their operations, which further supports local jobs and economies.
Of the purchases made from suppliers outside of the province, over 90 percent are from Canadian businesses.
Canada has built a robust economy through smart policies supporting the domestic production of renewable energy. We will continue to find new and innovative ways to further our sustainability efforts for the benefit of Canada’s natural resources, said Liezl van Wyk.
Key employment support
The MNP study found that thousands of jobs are supported by Drax’s activities across Canada in a wide range of sectors including high-skilled manufacturing of industrial components, engineering and technical machinery, and transportation, many of which are in rural communities.
For example, in the Entwistle and Burns Lake communities where Drax’s pellet plants are located, Drax provides 26 percent and 18 percent of their total employment income respectively.
The total employment supported by Drax’s operations (3,101 jobs) is approximately equivalent to the employment supported by the construction of 1,447 new homes in Canada.
We commend the workers, policymakers, and other stakeholders who help ensure energy security and economic growth, particularly during times of international instability, said Liezl van Wyk.
Companies such as local sawmills rely on Drax to purchase their residuals and by-products. The use of these materials by Drax also keeps them out of landfills and off forest floors, where they can become fuel for wildfires.
The timber, forest, and furniture industries, among many others, have been key collaborators in sourcing residuals and waste products for beneficial reuse by Drax.
Our research demonstrates the economic impact that Drax Group has made to the Canadian economy, with their operations in Canada generating CA$372 million in GDP in 2023. We also found that the economic activity generated by Drax’s pellet plants, port terminals, and corporate offices, has a positive impact on local communities across Canada, said Susan Mowbray, Partner at MNP.
