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Between 2004 and 2022, emissions from large combustion plants in the EU decreased: sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ) and dust by 92%, and nitrogen oxides (NOx) by 70%. Declines in emissions and improvements in environmental performance were largely driven by European policy, which sets legally binding emission limit values. Fossil fuel useage decreased by 35% as energy production shifts to climate-friendly sources, even if coal has returned as the most used fuel in large combustion plants in Europe. Stricter emission limit values and policies aimed at increasing the use of renewable or cleaner fuels are expected to drive further declines in combustion plant emissions in coming years.

Figure 1. Emission of dust, nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide from large combustion plants in the EU-27

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As of 2022, large combustion plants (LCPs) are responsible for almost 40% of the EU’s electricity production capacity. These largely depend on fossil fuels, resulting in the emission of pollutants to air, water and land, causing damaging our ecosystems. To mitigate the environmental impact, EU policy aims to reduce LCP emissions.

Emissions from LCPs decreased significantly during 2004-2022: SO2 and dust by 92% and NOx by 70%. This decreased highlighted two main turning points; 1) over the period 2007-2009, LCP operators had the double effect of needing to adapt their plants to new emission limit values from the LCP Directive and the financial crisis that started at the end of 2008, and 2) around 2015-2016 coincided with the moment operators had to comply with stricter limits set by the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED), which entered into full force.

LCPs vary significantly in size, from 50MWt to even larger than 2,000MWt. Declines in emissions correspond to a significant improvement in environmental performance across all LCP sizes, particularly among the very large ones, which, although including only 21% of LCPs, accounts for 70% of installed capacity. These reductions demonstrate the value of European policy in driving improvements in the environmental performance of LCPs, with LCP operators adopting pollution reduction measures, more efficient operating processes and end-of-pipe pollution abatement techniquesto comply with legislation.

In 2022, 3,139 LCPs, were covered by the scope of the IED. European countries rely to different degrees on combustion plants to meet their energy demands. However, generally, the number of plants in a given country is proportional to its size and population. Czechia, Malta and Slovakia did not report 2022 data, and therefore the number of plants in Europe is estimated to be 4,047, taking into account the latest number from these four countries.

The fuel mix plays a key role in emission generation, with coal and liquid fuels substantially dirtier than other options. Shifting from fossil fuels to other energy carriers and sources is paramount to achieve climate mitigation goals. Changes to the fuel mix contributed to emission reductions over the period with other factors, including changes to a broader economy and society, international fuel prices and industry initiatives.

The war in Ukraine impacted natural gas prices in 2022. Coal was the major fuel input, surpassing natural gas for the first time since 2019. Future data will show if this may be a slowdown of the phase-out from coal progression. Natural gas and coal combined, two fossil fuels, are still very significant in the overall mix covering almost 75% of the total fuel input (Figure 2) of the combustion sector. More emission reductions are expected in the coming years as a result of stricter IED permits, and energy and climate change mitigation policies, driving the use of renewable or cleaner fuels aimed at achieving the EU’s ambition of becoming climate neutral by 2050 .

Figure 2. Fuel consumption in the EU-27, per fuel type

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Overall, LCP fuel consumption decreased by 35% between 2004 and 2022 (Figure 2). Largely attributed to a decrease in the consumption of fossil fuels, particularly coal (down 46% since 2010) and liquid fuels (down 36% since 2010), this mostly occurred after 2010. It could reflect a shift in Europe’s energy system from fossil fuels to renewable sources, with natural gas still playing a bridging role in this transition.

The war in Ukraine impact and rise of natural gas prices in 2022 are reflected on the overall consumption in 2022. Coal was the largest contributor covering 37% of the consumption, followed by natural gas (36%) and consumption of liquid fuel increased by 14% from 2021 levels. This pause in the coal phase-out should be monitored in the near future as it may have a negative impact on achieving the goals set by the European Green Deal.

All EU countries reduced coal use over the 2004-2022 period, with five (Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece and Poland) contributing for around 70% of the reduction in coal consumption (Figure 2) in 2022. However, coal still accounts for more than 50% of the fuel input in large combustion plant in four countries (Bulgaria, Estonia, Poland and Slovenia). Another interesting phenomenon is the consistent increase of biomass as a fuel input (86% since 2010). While this has its origin in climate mitigation goals, it can result in increases of air pollution, particularly particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds .