GB Railfreight (GBRf) has entered into a 12-month agreement with energy company Drax to operate biomass transport services exclusively on Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) throughout 2025. The contract covers rail freight movements between The Port of Liverpool, The Port of Tyne, and Drax Power Station in Selby, Yorkshire.
Since 2016, GBRf has been transporting biomass for Drax, moving over 15 million tonnes across approximately 10,000 train journeys. The deliveries support electricity generation at the Selby site, which contributes around 8% of the UK’s renewable energy and approximately 4% of the country’s total electricity supply.
The switch to HVO aligns with GBRf’s transition away from conventional diesel fuels. HVO, produced through hydro-treatment of vegetable oils or animal fats, is promoted as a lower-emission alternative that reduces carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) output when used in diesel-powered locomotives. The company has also announced plans to operate its Class 99 locomotives on electricity or renewable fuels such as HVO.
