The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has amended the National Plan for Reducing Emissions from Large Combustion Plants (LCPs), extending the operational period of these energy facilities. The decision aims to align national legislation with Ukraine’s international obligations as a member of the Energy Community, ensure sufficient generation capacity amid Russia’s energy attacks, and maintain necessary reserves.
The implementation of the National LCP Plan was initially intended as a transitional phase towards full compliance with Ukraine’s EU integration obligations regarding industrial pollution reduction and the introduction of European standards for LCP operations. According to these obligations, including the EU Industrial Emissions Directive 2010/75/EU, several large combustion plants in Ukraine were scheduled to cease operations by the end of 2025.
However, considering the importance of strengthening Ukraine’s energy security amid ongoing Russian attacks, on 18 December, the Energy Community Ministerial Council reviewed Ukraine’s request and approved the necessary derogations. This allows Ukraine to continue operating the LCPs included in the National Plan throughout the martial law period, but no later than 31 December 2028.
This decision ensures the reliability of the energy system and uninterrupted electricity and heat supply for critical and social infrastructure, particularly during the heating season and ongoing attacks on energy facilities. It enables operators of large combustion plants to avoid premature shutdowns of individual power units at thermal power plants (TPPs) and combined heat and power plants (CHPs), while positively affecting the market environment, generation adequacy, and national energy security.
