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European Directive 2015/2193, known as the MCP Directive, which aims to limit emissions of certain pollutants into the air, has established a European-wide requirement to collect data on the characteristics of medium combustion plants. Here is an overview of the reporting deadlines for Member States and the information that operators of such plants must provide.
Reporting deadlines to the European Commission under the MCP Directive
Directive 2015/2193 of November 25, 2015, on the limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from medium combustion plants (the MCP Directive) established a European-level requirement to collect administrative and technical data regarding the characteristics of combustion plants.
This directive requires each European Union Member State to submit this 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.
MCP Directive: which medium combustion plants are affected?
The MCP Directive was transposed into French law through the creation of new articles in Section 12 of the Environmental Code (Articles R. 515-113 to R. 515-116). This data collection requirement applies to medium combustion plants with a capacity between 1 MW and 50 MW that fall under headings 2910 and 3110 of the ICPE nomenclature.
Data to be submitted by operators
Operators of medium combustion plants must provide the competent authority with various information specific to their facilities:
- Rated thermal input of the medium combustion plant, expressed in megawatts thermal (MWth);
- Date of the start of operation of the medium combustion plant or, if the start date is unknown, proof that operation began before December 20, 2018;
- Expected annual operating hours of the medium combustion plant and the average load in operation;
- In the event that the combustion plant operates for fewer than 500 hours per year under conditions set by an order from the minister responsible for classified installations, a commitment not to exceed this maximum operating duration.
The combustion appliances making up the combustion plant must be clearly identified, and details regarding the type of appliance, its rated thermal input, and the nature of its fuel must be provided.
Definitions of operating hour and operating duration
The terms "operating hour of a medium combustion plant" and "annual operating duration of a medium combustion plant" are defined in an order dated January 2, 2019, which specifies the procedures for collecting data related to medium combustion plants:
- Operating hour of a medium combustion plant: this refers to the period of time (expressed in hours) during which at least one of the plant's appliances is in operation and discharging emissions into the air, excluding start-up and shut-down periods;
- Annual operating duration of a medium combustion plant, depending on the status of the combustion plant:
- Rolling average of operating hours calculated over a five-year period for existing plants (declared before December 20, 2018);
- Rolling average of operating hours calculated over a three-year period for new plants (declared on or after December 20, 2018).
All of this information must be submitted electronically via a form available on the government website " Démarches simplifiées " according to the following deadlines:
- from December 20, 2018: Data reporting for new and modified installations
- before December 31, 2023: Data reporting for existing installations with a capacity greater than 5 MW
- before December 31, 2028: Data reporting for existing installations with a capacity between 1 and 5 MW