Guidance

Operating a generator for research, development and testing: RPS 220

Updated 12 December 2025

Applies to England

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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 have an environmental permit where one is required.  

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

  • 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

Activity this RPS applies to

This RPS applies to generators that form a Tranche B specified generator and undertake research, development or testing of the generator.

Conditions you must comply with

You must:

  • 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
  • ensure the main purpose of operating the generator is for research, development or testing and not for generating electricity
  • write, implement and follow a management system that identifies and minimises the risks of pollution to air from oxides of nitrogen
  • notify the Environment Agency by email at combustion@environment-agency.gov.uk before you use this RPS, with RPS 220 in the subject
  • keep records for 2 years from the date of the last use of the RPS to show that you have complied with this RPS and make these records available to the Environment Agency on request

You must not:

When you must check back

The Environment Agency intends to withdraw this RPS by 31 December 2028.

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

You will need to check back from time to time, including at and before the withdrawal date, to see if this RPS still applies.

This RPS remains in force until it is removed from GOV.UK or is otherwise identified as having been withdrawn.

You can subscribe to email updates about this RPS. These will tell you if the RPS has changed and when it has been withdrawn.

If you cannot comply with this RPS

If you operate under this RPS but can no longer comply with it, you must:

Contact the Environment Agency

If you have any questions about this RPS, email enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk with RPS 220 in the subject.

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