Emissions Trading Schemes

From 1st January 2021 following the UK's withdrawal from the European Union, all installations were transferred over to a new UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) and under the terms of the Northern Ireland Protocol, Northern Ireland Electricity Generators continue to be participants in the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS).

Participating in the UK ETS

Guidance on participating in the new UK ETS is available on the Government website using the link below.

Participating in the UK ETS

The UK ETS Authority has published a guidance document:
How to comply UK ETS installations.

For both schemes all applications, notifications and forms must still be submitted through the online ETSWAP system.

If you think that your installation may be covered by Schedule 1 of the Regulations, please contact us on 028 9056 9299 or email emissions.trading@daera-ni.gov.uk with your query.

UK Free Allocation Table.

The UK ETS authority has assessed the applications for a free allocation of allowances for the 2021 to 2025 allocation period.

The allocation table has been published by the UK ETS authority, see here.

Registry data publication consultation: UK ETS Authority response:

A joint response from the UK ETS Authority bodies to the private consultation on the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) registry data publication policy and be viewed through the foolowing link:

Registry data publication consultation: UK ETS Authority response - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Participating in the EU ETS: NI Generators

NI Electricity Generators shall remain in EU ETS by virtue of the Ireland / Northern Ireland Protocol

Further information for participating in the EU Scheme is available via guidance from the EU Commission. The EU ETS works on a ‘cap and trade’ basis, so there is a ‘cap’ or limit set on the total greenhouse gas emissions allowed by all participants covered by the System and this cap is converted into tradable emission allowances.

Phase IV (1 January 2021 to 31 December 2030)

The Official Journal of the European Union.

PMRV migration – end dates for application on ETSWAP

We are working on introducing a new system to replace ETSWAP. The new system is due to come online later this year in phases with final confirmation of launch date to be announced by the UK ETS Authority in September.

Part of this work involves moving information from ETSWAP into the new Permitting Monitoring Report and Verification system (PMRV). This means we need close off all outstanding applications and workflows on ETSWAP to allow data to be moved.

To enable us to complete this work on time we will not accept new applications after specific dates. Any open workflows after these dates will need to be re-started in the PMRV. You will not be able to access your account in ETSWAP from October 2022 and we will not be able to provide you with ETSWAP data after that date.

The following dates are the deadline for new applications to be submitted on ETSWAP for NIEA. Following these dates these applications will need to be conducted on the PMRV once available later in the year. A final timeline for PMRV becoming available will be communicated in due course.

Application	Deadline
Variation	31 July
Transfer	31 August
Surrender	31 August
New Permit	31 August
NER / Targets	31 August
Notification	31 August

In advance of those dates you should take the following actions where relevant:

Date	Actions
From today to 31 July 2022 FOR VARIATIONS	Submit variations as usual via ETSWAP Ensure these are submitted and paid for by 31 July 2022. Any variations submitted by this deadline that do not include all information required for us to make a determination may result in us asking you to re-submit the application in PMRV, especially if you cannot provide the information we require promptly.
From today to 31 August 2022 All non variation applications	Submit all other types of application as usual via ETSWAP (new permit, variation, transfer, surrender, NER and HSE target increase applications). Ensure these are submitted and paid for by 31 August 2022. Any applications submitted by this deadline that do not include all information required for us to make a determination may result in us asking you to re-submit the application in PMRV, especially if you cannot provide the information we require promptly. If you are starting a new regulated activity before the end of 2022 you should apply for a GHG permit in ETSWAP before 31 August 2022. Submit all notifications as usual via ETSWAP You should be working to retrieve and download all relevant files and information from ETSWAP to retain for your records.
From 1 September to 30 September 2022	You may not submit an application into ETSWAP during this time. . Continue to retrieve and download all relevant files and information from ETSWAP and retain for your records. This must be finished by 30 September 2022.
1 October 2022	You will no longer have access to ETSWAP.
From October to December 2022	You will be on-boarded into PMRV. You will receive further communications with more information about this shortly. You will not be able to carry out any compliance actions in PMRV at this time, and permit data will not be available. During this time submit all notifications via email to emissions.trading@daera-ni.gov.uk You may still receive some correspondence from us using ETSWAP via email in early October.
From December 2022 onwards	Permit data will be live in PMRV and you will be able to carry out compliance activities like submitting applications and notifications. Any variation applications that were dealt with through a notification into ETSWAP or via email will now need to be submitted into PMRV.

If you are currently aware of a reason that you will need to submit an application following the deadline but before the PMRV becomes available then please let us know as soon as possible.

Please ensure you have at least two contacts on ETSWAP to ensure you do not miss communications.

If you have any questions please contact us.

Monitoring, reporting, verification and accreditation

An EU ETS operator must propose a monitoring plan when applying for a greenhouse gas emissions permit. The monitoring plan provides information on how the EU ETS operator’s emissions will be measured and reported. A monitoring plan must be developed in accordance with the European Commission’s Monitoring and Reporting Regulation and be approved by an EU ETS Regulator, in Northern ireland this is the Chief Inspector from the NIEA. The reporting year runs from 1 January to 31 December each year.

The EU ETS requires all annual emissions reports and monitoring to be verified by an independent EU verifier in accordance with the Accreditation and Verification Regulation. A verifier will check for inconsistencies in monitoring with the approved plan and whether the data in the emissions report is complete and reliable.

The European Commission’s Guidance on the Accreditation and Verification Regulation aims to help operators of all stationary installations, verification bodies and regulators perform verifications consistently throughout the EU. It provides practical information and advice on the process and requirements for annual verification required by the EU ETS Directive, the European Commission’s Monitoring and Reporting Regulation and Greenhouse Gas permits/monitoring.

EU ETS Carbon Price 2021

Determination of the EU ETS carbon price for use in determining civil penalties 2021

The determination made by the Department of Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs under regulation 15 of the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Withdrawal Agreement) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020.

Details

The determination enables the regulator to calculate a number of civil penalties for non-compliance with the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS).

EEX publishes 2022 auction calendar for EUAA auctions and EUA auctions for the United Kingdom in respect of Northern Ireland

NI Electricity Generators who participate in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme.

The European Energy Exchange (EEX) has published the 2022 calendars for the auctions of EU Aviation Allowances (EUAA) for the EU Member States as well as for the auctioning of EU Emission Allowances (EUA) for the UK in respect of generation of electricity in Northern Ireland for the single wholesale electricity market in Ireland and Northern Ireland. This has been coordinated with the European Commission, the EU Member States and the EEA EFTA states participating in the common auction platform (CAP3) as well as with the competent authorities of Germany, Poland and the UK authorities.

The EUA for Northern Ireland will be auctioned during the following times:

23 February 2022: 1,108,500 EUA (volume of 2021)
21 September 2022: 1,246,000 EUA (volume of 2022)

The press release can be accessed from:
EEX Press Release 2022 Auction Calendar For Northern Ireland

EUAs and EUAAs can only be used in connection with the EU ETS and NOT the UK ETS