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European Directive 2015/2193, known as the MCP Directive, aimed at limiting emissions of certain pollutants into the atmosphere, has created a Europe-wide obligation to collect data on the characteristics of average combustion plants. An update on the reporting deadlines for Member States and the information to be transmitted by operators of such plants.
Reporting deadlines to the European Commission since the MCP directive
Directive 2015/2193 of November 25, 2015 on the limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from medium-sized combustion plants (the so-called MCP Directive) created the obligation, at European level, to collect administrative and technical data concerning the characteristics of combustion plants.
This directive requires each European Union member state to transmit these data to the European Commission, in order to periodically monitor emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOX), dust and carbon monoxide (CO) from these plants.
CAM Directive: which medium-sized combustion plants are affected?
The MCP directive has been transposed into French law by the creation of new articles in section 12 of the Environmental Code (articles R. 515-113 to R. 515-116). This data collection obligation applies to medium-sized combustion plants with an output of between 1 MW and 50 MW, falling under headings 2910 and 3110 of the ICPE nomenclature.
Data to be transmitted by operators
Operators of medium-sized combustion plants must provide the competent authority with a range of information specific to these plants:
- Rated thermal output of the average combustion plant, expressed in thermal MW ;
- Date and commencement of operation of the medium combustion plant or, where the date of commencement of operation is unknown, proof that operation commenced before December 20, 2018;
- Expected annual operating hours of the average combustion plant and average operating load ;
- If the combustion plant operates for less than 500 hours a year under conditions set by an order of the minister responsible for classified installations, a commitment not to exceed this maximum operating time.
The combustion appliances making up the combustion plant must be clearly identified, and details of the type of appliance, its rated thermal output and the nature of its fuel must be given.
Concepts of operating hours and running times
The concepts of "operating hour of an average combustion plant" and "annual operating time of an average combustion plant" are defined in an order dated January 2, 2019, specifying the procedures for collecting data relating to average combustion plants:
- Operating hour of an average combustion plant: this is the period of time (expressed in hours) during which at least one of the plant's units is in operation and discharging emissions into the air, excluding start-up and shutdown phases;
- Annual operating time of an average combustion plant, depending on plant status :
- Rolling average of operating hours calculated over a five-year period for existing facilities (declared before December 20, 2018);
- Rolling average of operating hours calculated over a three-year period for new installations (declared on or after December 20, 2018).
All this information must be submitted electronically, using a form available on the government's " Simplified procedures " website, by the following deadlines:
- from December 20, 2018: Data reporting for new and modified facilities
- before December 31, 2023: Declaration of data for existing installations with a capacity greater than 5 MW
- before December 31, 2028: Declaration of data for existing installations with a capacity of between 1 and 5 MW