EU approves stricter emission limits for power sector; Czechia and Germany opposed

The European Union last week approved stricter limits for emissions of NOx, SO2 and other substances, which will also affect European coal-fired power plants. A bloc of countries led by Germany and Poland, joined by the Czech Republic, voted against. The stricter limits are to be met by 2021.

A key vote on limits for certain pollutants from European power plants took place at the end of last week. The limits were ultimately approved, also thanks to a change in the United Kingdom's position. Even so, it was one of the closest votes.

For the proposal to be approved, it had to be supported by countries representing 65% of the EU's population. It was ultimately approved with 65.14% of the vote.

A relatively strong opposition to the proposal emerged, made up primarily of countries from Central and Eastern Europe. Besides the expected Poland, Germany, which remains relatively dependent on coal, also joined the opposition.

The proposal also failed to gain support in the Czech Republic, where lignite remains the largest source of energy. Other countries opposing the proposal included Bulgaria, Finland, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia.

Poland, whose energy sector is heavily dependent on coal, is already beginning to calculate how much the new limits will cost operators of its power plants. According to initial estimates, costs could reach as much as EUR 2.3bn.

Limits on mercury emissions to be set for the first time

The approved document includes limits on mercury emissions for the first time. Other stricter limits concern CO, NOx, SO2 and particulate matter, for which limits already apply. The limits are further divided according to unit capacity, generally up to 300 MW and above this threshold.

Among Czech power plants, the limits could affect, for example, Počerady power plant, where NOx and SO2 emissions are above the new limits, as follows from compliance with the limits set by the integrated permit for the plant. By contrast, carbon oxide emissions would be compliant at all operating units.