Decarbonisation readiness in environmental permit applications
How to demonstrate 'decarbonisation readiness' for new or substantially refurbished electricity generating combustion plants when applying for an environmental permit.
Applies to England
Documents
Details
This guidance applies to relevant electricity-generating combustion power plants in England. It explains how to demonstrate decarbonisation readiness in environmental permit applications submitted on or after 28 February 2026.
It is intended for:
- operators designing combustion power plants and preparing their environmental permit applications
- Environment Agency regulatory staff
- any other organisation or member of the public seeking to understand how environmental regulations and standards are applied
This guidance applies to England only. Carbon capture readiness (CCR) requirements will continue to apply in Wales.
Updates to this page
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Updated section 3.1 and 3.2, clarified when ‘plant’ or ‘combustion plant’ means ‘combustion power plant’. Removed thermal input thresholds in section 3.1 for specified generators and in section 3.2 for combustion power plants with a nuclear safety role.
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First published.
Update history
2026-03-05 11:18
Updated section 3.1 and 3.2, clarified when ‘plant’ or ‘combustion plant’ means ‘combustion power plant’. Removed thermal input thresholds in section 3.1 for specified generators and in section 3.2 for combustion power plants with a nuclear safety role.
2025-11-03 09:00
First published.