Large Combustion Plant Directive (LCPD)

 Large Combustion Plant Directive (LCPD)

In directive 2001/80/EC, known as the large combustion plant directive (LCPD), the EU sets down limits for the reduction of emissions to air for oxides of nitrogen (NOx), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and particulates (dust) from combustion plants with a thermal input greater, or equal to, 50 megawatts (MWth). This replaces the previous directive 88/609/EEC.

The LCPD applies to ‘existing’, ‘new’ and ‘new-new’ plants whereby:

• existing plants are defined as those consented before 1 July 1987 and exempt from 88/609/EEC;

• new plants are defined as those having been built between 1 July 1987 and 31 October 2001, which are obliged to meet the criteria outlined in 88/609/EEC; and

• new-new plants are defined as those commissioned after 31 October 2001 that are obliged to meet the criteria outlined in the LCPD.