Medium Combustion
Plant Directive (MCPD)
Helping you ensure your plant is MCPD compliant
The Medium Combustion Plant Directive (MCPD) is EU and UK legislation used to monitor combustion plant operations and the local air quality by controlling the emission of sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen (NO2), and dust pollutants. This is important for reducing the potential risks to human health and the environment.
Whether you’re a specified generator or not, we provide compliance consultancy to ensure your plant meets the registration and permitting requirements under the MCDP. We can also offer guidance and support with the ongoing compliance and emissions monitoring, advise on new installations or existing ones that requires variation, and manage the application process on your behalf.
Most combustion plants with a thermal input above 1MWth now require some form of permit before 2029 to comply with the latest MCPD regulations.
However, the legislation is nuanced and depends on the site set up, so it’s important to seek expert advice to understand what permit obligations are required for your specific combustion plant.
Further information
What is an MCP?
Medium Combustion Plants (MCP) are boilers and engines over 1 MWth input, operating on solid, gaseous or liquid fuels. Plants commissioned before the 20 December 2018 are due for permitting under the Environment Agency (EA) by the following dates: 2024 for plants over 5 MWth input, and 2029 for plants between 1 and 5 MWth input.
Under MCPD, all unpermitted combustions plants over 5 MWth input commissioned before 19th December 2018 were due to hold a permit from 01 January 2024 and had to be Emission Compliant from 01 January 2025. As these deadlines have now passed, any sites operating existing plants over 5 MWth input without a permit are doing so unlawfully and must obtain a permit as soon as possible.
New MCPs
New MCPs commissioned after 2018 are required to hold a permit prior to first operation. This including the replacement of existing plant. Any new plants undertaking the same activities on the same site are also subject to aggregation, so smaller plants may require a permit if they exceed 1MWth input when added together.
Getting a permit
The Environment Agency currently takes 4-6 months to process permits, so applicants needing one are recommended to submit as soon as they have planning permission approved and a plant order placed.
The application process considers everything in your plant’s local area that could be impacted from an emissions or environmental standpoint. Your location could influence the process and overall cost.
Permit delivery and compliance
Once you’ve got your permit you then need to ensure you comply with its terms. You’ll need to carry out any necessary testing within four months of its issue date to prove your emissions are within the specified limit.
You will also need to have an environmental management system in place to record ongoing testing, fuel deliveries, maintenance everything of relevance to your permitted activities that happens on your site.
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