GB Railfreight (GBRf) has signed a 12-month agreement with renewable energy company Drax to use Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) for its services. Throughout 2025, GBRf will run its freight operations from the Port of Liverpool and the Port of Tyne to Drax Power Station in Selby, Yorkshire, exclusively using HVO.
Since 2016, GBRf’s trains have transported over 15 million tonnes of sustainable biomass between Peel Ports, Liverpool, and Drax Power Station. These 10,000 train journeys—equivalent to three per day—support the power station in generating electricity for up to four million homes and businesses. Drax Power Station contributes around 8% of the UK’s renewable energy and approximately 4% of total electricity usage, playing a key role in the country’s energy security and transition to net zero.
The agreement forms part of GBRf’s wider decarbonisation strategy, following the recent announcement that its Class 99 locomotives will operate solely on electricity or renewable fuels such as HVO. Marketed as one of the world’s greenest fuels, HVO is produced through the hydro-treatment of vegetable oils or animal fats, significantly reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions when used in diesel locomotives.
John Smith OBE, Chief Executive Officer at GB Railfreight, said: “We’ve had a strong relationship with Drax for over twelve years and I’m delighted that, together, we’ve agreed to use HVO to deliver our services. This is one of many initiatives within GB Railfreight’s carbon reduction plan that will support the UK Government achieve its ambitions to make the UK a clean energy superpower.”
Mark Gibbens, Head of Logistics at Drax, added: “This agreement marks an important step in our commitment to sustainability and innovation in transport. By exclusively using HVO for rail services, we are reducing our supply chain emissions and supporting the transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions. We are proud to continue our long-standing partnership with GB Railfreight, helping drive both energy security and the UK’s decarbonisation goals forward.”
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