Large Combustion Plant Directive (LCPD)

The Large Combustion Plant Directive (LCPD) came into effect on 1 January 2008.  It enforces strict environmental compliance, setting limits for the amount of sulphur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NO_x) and dust particulates that each coal or oil-fired plant can emit.

All our coal and oil-fired power stations in the UK have complied by either ‘opting in’ and meeting these limits, or ‘opting out’ and reducing their operating time and life span.

Aberthaw Power Station is opted in, and we have invested in new equipment to meet the new SO₂ and NO_x limits.

We’ve opted out at our other coal stations, Didcot A and Tilbury and our oil-fired stations at Fawley and Littlebrook.

Only gas-fired stations built after November 2002 are covered by emissions limits set by LCPD.  Our Didcot B, Little Barford and Great Yarmouth plants were all built before this date.