All operators should ensure that they understand the obligations of the transposed Directive in the jurisdiction(s) in which they operate. In particular, they should familiarise themselves with the ELVs that apply to them, determine whether they can meet them and assess whether they can avail of derogations that could reduce or eliminate the need for plant retrofits or replacements.
Operators planning to buy or install new combustion plants in the 1-50 MWTH range before December 2018 should ensure that they are aware of the emission control and permitting requirements for their new plants and ensure that all new plants are specified to meet the ELVs set out in Annex II (part 2) of the Directive.
For operators of existing MCPs, achieving compliance could ultimately entail retrofitting abatement technologies, fuel switching, plant replacement, and/or other technical measures. Operators of existing plants in the 5-50 MWTH range should, over the next few years, monitor their stack gas emissions to assess their current emissions of SO2, NOx, dust and CO. These operators have several years to identify and implement strategies for ensuring that their MCP units comply with the ELVs set out in Annex II (part 1) by January 2025.
While the operators of smaller plants (1-5 MWTH) should adopt a similar approach, the deadline for compliance with the ELVs is 2030, so there is less urgency for them.