EU negotiators have informally agreed a 550g CO2/kWh emission limit for new power plants taking part in capacity mechanisms, likely to apply during 2019, as part of a draft accord on the EU's new power market design regulation.
Power plants starting commercial operation after the regulation enters into force -- likely to be around mid- to late-2019 - with emissions higher than this limit will not be allowed to take part in capacity mechanisms, the EU Council said Tuesday after talks with European Parliament negotiators.
Existing power plants emitting more than 550g CO2/kWh and 350kg CO2 on average per year per installed kW will be able to take part in capacity mechanisms until July 1, 2025, said the council, which represents the EU's 28 national governments.
The draft accord includes a grandfathering clause for capacity contracts concluded before December 31, 2019, to "protect investment security," the council said.
The draft accord has to be formally approved by both the parliament and the council, likely to happen early next year.
The regulation enters into force 20 days after being published in the EU Official Journal, so likely to be mid to late 2019.
