The Energy Community (EnC) Secretariat has issued Reasoned Opinions against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and North Macedonia for failing to meet their NERP (National Emission Reduction Plan) ceilings for the reporting years 2018 and 2019 and thus not achieving significant reduction of air pollution from thermal power plants, as required under the Large Combustion Plants Directive.
NERPs are an instrument to comply with the requirements of the Large Combustion Plants Directive by providing the reduction of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and dust emissions for the group of plants covered by their scope. Implementation of this piece of the Energy Community environmental acquis is key for the progressive reduction of air pollution the energy sector, which is responsible for severe health and environmental damages in the Contracting Parties. North Macedonia faces problems with its ceilings for sulfur dioxide and dust, while Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo failed to meet the ceilings for all three pollutants.
Contracting Parties concerned have the opportunity to react within two months with the aim to dispel the concerns of the Secretariat prior to a referral to the Ministerial Council.