Environmental permits

The permit procedure varies, but your opinion always counts. Legislation on environmental permits for power plants varies considerably between different countries.According to EC legislation, some important aspects of the permit procedure are the same in all countries.

EIA Directive

A permit (development consent) is compulsory for plants that are considered to have a significant impact on the environment according to the EIA Directive on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment. Thermal power stations and other combustion installations with a heat output of 300 megawatts or more and nuclear power stations are examples of activities that are always considered to have significant impact on the environment. The lower limit for activities considered to have a significant impact on the environment varies between countries.

An environmental impact assessment (EIA) must be carried out before the permit is granted. The purpose of the EIA is to identify, describe and assess the effects of the project on human beings, fauna and flora, soil, water, air, climate, the landscape, material assets and the cultural heritage.

The public is informed of the project at an early stage of the environmental decision-making procedure. Those who are affected or likely to be affected by the project – including certain non-governmental organisations that promote environment protection – are given an opportunity to participate in the procedure. They are entitled to express their comments and opinions at a stage when all options are still open. The results of the consultation with the public involved must be taken into account in the development consent procedure.

When the permit has been decided, the public involved has access to a review procedure before a court of law or some other independent and impartial body.
EIA - Environmental Impact Assessment (new window)

IPPC Directive

The EU has a set of common rules for permitting and controlling industrial installations in the IPPC Directive, which concerns integrated pollution prevention and control. In essence, the IPPC Directive is aimed at minimising pollution from various industrial sources, for example combustion power plants. Operators of industrial installations covered by the directive are required to obtain an environmental permit.

The permits must take into account the whole environmental performance of the plant, covering matters such as emissions to air, water and land, generation of waste, use of raw materials, energy efficiency, noise, prevention of accidents, and restoration of the site at the end of life of the plant.

The permit conditions must be based on Best Available Techniques (BAT), as defined in the IPPC Directive.

The Directive ensures that the public has a right to participate in the decision-making process, and to be informed of its consequences.
IPPC - Integrated Pollution Prevention and control (new window)

Examples of on-going applications for environmental permits