Guidance

Operating a schedule 25B, tranche B specified generator for research and development: RPS 220

Updated 19 December 2023

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/operating-a-schedule-25b-tranche-b-specified-generator-for-research-and-development-rps-220/operating-a-schedule-25b-tranche-b-specified-generator-for-research-and-development-rps-220

This regulatory position statement (RPS) does not change your legal requirement to get an environmental permit when you operate a specified generator with one or more tranche B generators for research and development testing.

However, the Environment Agency will not normally take enforcement action against you if do not comply with these legal requirements provided:

  • your activity meets the description set out in this RPS
  • you comply with the conditions set out in this RPS
  • your activity does not cause (and is not likely to cause) pollution of the environment or harm to human health

When this RPS applies

This RPS applies to operating a schedule 25B, tranche B specified generator for research and development and testing purposes.

Conditions you must comply with

You must:

  • notify the Environment Agency by email before you use this RPS
  • keep records for 2 years to show that you have complied with this RPS and make these records available to the Environment Agency on request

You must:

  • operate a generator where the main purpose is testing and not generating electricity
  • only test an individual generator with a maximum capacity of 20 megawatt thermal (MWth)
  • only test more than one generator with a total capacity of less than 50 MWth at any one time
  • write and follow a management system that identifies and minimises the risks of NOx (oxides of nitrogen) pollution to air

You must not:

  • cause a risk to local air quality
  • adversely affect the countryside or places of special interest

When you must check back

The Environment Agency intends to withdraw this RPS on 31 December 2025. You will need to check back then to see if it still applies or if you need to apply for an environmental permit or take appropriate alternative action.

The Environment Agency can withdraw or amend this enforcement position before it expires if they consider it necessary. This includes where the activity that this RPS relates to has not changed.

If you cannot comply with this RPS

If you operate under this RPS but think you may no longer be able to comply with its conditions, you must tell the Environment Agency immediately.

Contact

Email: MCPReturns@environment-agency.gov.uk

Please quote RPS 220 and provide a contact name and the address of the research and development activity.

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