Paragraph 9 Emission limit values: existing medium combustion plant exemptionsF1

(1)

An existing medium combustion plant is exempt from the requirements in paragraph 8(1) or (2) of this schedule if—

(a)

the plant does not operate more than 500 hours per year (calculated as a rolling average over a period of 5 years), or

(b)

the plant does not operate more than 1000 hours per year (calculated as a rolling average over a period of 5 years) and the plant is operated in case of emergency or extraordinary circumstances for—

(i)

backup power production on an island where the main power supply to that island is from the Scottish mainland, in the event of an interruption of the main power supply to an island, or

(ii)

heat production in cases of exceptionally cold weather events.

(2)

An authorisation for medium combustion plant which—

(i)

is exempt by sub-paragraph (1) from the requirements in paragraph 8(1) or (2) of this schedule, and

(ii)

is firing solid fuels,

must contain an emission limit value for dust of 200 mg/Nm³.

(3)

An existing medium combustion plant with a rated thermal input greater than 5 megawatts is exempt from the requirement in paragraph 8(1) of this schedule until 1 January 2030 where at least 50% of the useful heat production of the plant (calculated as a rolling average over of a period of 5 years) is delivered in the form of steam or hot water to a public network for district heating.

(4)

An authorisation for a medium combustion plant which is exempt by sub-paragraph (3) from the requirement in paragraph 8(1) must contain, where applicable—

(a)

emission limits values which do not exceed—

(i)

1100 mg/Nm³ for SO₂,

(ii)

150 mg/Nm³ for dust,

(b)

conditions that are necessary to ensure that—

(i)

no significant pollution is caused,

(ii)

a high level of protection for the environment as a whole is achieved.

(5)

An existing medium combustion plant with a rated thermal input greater than 5 megawatts is exempt until 1 January 2030 from the requirement in paragraph 8(1) of this schedule to comply with the emission limit values for NO_x in Table 3 where the plant is used to drive gas compressor stations required to ensure the safety and security of a national gas transmission system.

(6)

An existing medium combustion plant which is part of a small isolated system, or a micro isolated system is exempt from the requirements in paragraphs 8(1) and (2) until 1 January 2030.

Annotations

Textual amendments

F1: Sch. 27 inserted (1.11.2025) by The Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025 (S.S.I. 2025/165), reg. 1(2), sch. 18 (with sch. 23)