BRITAIN’S biggest coal-fired power station pumps more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than 103 countries each do, according to figures from the European Commission that are likely to add to the debate about the role of nuclear power in combating climate change.

Drax power station, near Selby in North Yorkshire, which is twice the size of any other power station in the UK, produces more than a quarter of the amount of carbon dioxide produced by all of Britain’s private motorists, and nearly a third of that produced directly by all of Britain’s homes.

Last year, Drax produced 20.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. In contrast, Britain’s motorists produced 91 million tonnes, while householders produced more than 80 million tonnes.

A spokeswoman for Drax, which was opened in 1974, insisted that it was the most efficient coal-fired power station in the country. However, she admitted: “Yes, we are going to be a big emitter of CO2.”

The Nuclear Industry Association said: “Nuclear is the only large-scale low carbon source of energy. Nuclear has to be part of the solution to climate change. There is a problem with nuclear waste, but the biggest problem we face is carbon and climate change.”

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