The Environment Agency (EA) has published guidance on “decarbonisation readiness” for environmental permit applications in England, replacing previous carbon capture readiness rules.
The guidance requires new or substantially refurbished combustion power plants applying for permits from February 2026 onwards to demonstrate that there are no known barriers to converting to low‑carbon operations via carbon capture or hydrogen fuel.
Applicants must pass tests covering space, technical feasibility, CO₂ transport/storage or hydrogen access, and economic viability, and must review and update their readiness plans regularly.
Source: EA.