Limits on emissions from medium-size combustion plants have been agreed by the European parliament.
The directive will set emission limit values for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and dust, and would apply to new and existing combustion plants between 1MW and 50MW.
The agreed text introduces differentiated regimes for existing combustion plants based on their size, which were outside the original proposal from the European commission. It has been introduced to reduce costs for the smallest plants. Under the plans, there will be a two-year transitional period for new plants to comply with the directive, while existing plants will have to meet the limits from 2025 (5-50MW) or 2030 (1-5MW).
Some plants, including those using biomass as their main fuel, may be granted extended deadlines. Member states will need to consider applying stricter limits for plants in zones not complying with EU air quality limit values.