The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) is implementing concrete measures that will control harmful emissions into the air from medium combustion plants.

Combustion plants burn fuel in order to generate energy. Medium combustion plants have a rated thermal input equal to, or greater than, 1MWth and less than 50MWth, irrespective of the type of fuel they use.

The amount of sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOX) and dust generated from medium combustion plants must be line with the requirements stipulated in SL 549.122 –  The Limitation of Emissions of Certain Pollutants into the air from Medium Combustion Plants Regulations, 2018*.

These new regulations require operators of medium combustion plants to obtain a permit from ERA, for both new combustion plants and existing ones.  Any plant which was put into operation after December 2018 is considered a new plant. All new medium combustion plants must obtain a permit from ERA prior to commencing operations. Should these already be in operation, the operator is required to contact ERA to start the permitting process in order to be compliant with the legislation.  Existing plants with rated thermal input greater than 5MWth must obtain a permit by 1st January 2024 at the latest and those with a rated thermal input of less than, or equal to, 5MWth must obtain a permit by 1st January 2029 at the latest.

The permit will set certain emission limit values for the production of NOX, SO2 and dust, which must be monitored by the operator. These vary according to whether the plant is classified as existing or new, the rated thermal input of the plant and the type of fuel used.  Operators of plants will also be required to monitor carbon monoxide, to keep track of such emissions and to provide the necessary information to ERA in order to ensure compliance with the legislation.

In order to apply for a permit for a medium combustion plant, operators must pay the applicable fees to ERA. Applications for permits are processed by the Permitting Unit within the Environment Resources Directorate and then presented to the ERA Board for determination. The permits are granted for a definite time period, following which, the operator will be required to apply for a renewal of the permit which must be submitted to ERA within stipulated time frames.

ERA will ensure compliance with the medium combustion plants regulations in accordance with the law and may also carry out of inspections and monitor installations in this regard as deemed necessary.

Collaboration between ERA and all those concerned is imperative in order to obtain the ultimate desired result: reduced emissions to the air and reduced potential risks to human health and the environment.

Application forms can be downloaded from era.org.mt. For further guidance, interested parties may contact ERA.

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 2292 3690

*SL 549.122 – The Limitation of Emissions of Certain Pollutants into the air from Medium Combustion Plants Regulations, 2018, transpose obligations arising from Directive 2015/2193/EU on the limitations of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from medium combustion plants. Regulations concerning these plants fall under the Environment Protection Act (Chapter 549 of the Laws of Malta).​

31 July 2019