If your business operates a medium combustion plant (MCP), a boiler, engine, turbine or generator with a rated thermal input between 1 and 50MWth, you’re likely to need an environmental permit under the Medium Combustion Plant Directive (MCPD). Several of the original compliance deadlines have already passed, so if your plant isn’t yet permitted, you may already be operating unlawfully.
Our consultants determine whether your plant needs a permit, establish whether you need a standard or bespoke application, and manage the process from submission through to your first stack test.
What is a Medium Combustion Plant Environmental Permit?
If your business’s activities include the operation of a medium combustion plant (MCP), you may require an environmental permit as regulated under the Medium Combustion Plant Directive (MCPD). A MCP is any plant or equipment used to burn (combust) materials with a rated thermal input between 1 and 50MWth.
Operators of MCPs need to:
- Hold a permit by the relevant deadline.
- Comply with the conditions within the permit.
- Monitor emissions to demonstrate compliance with Emission Limit Values (ELVs) ().
- Keep records for a minimum of 6 years to demonstrate compliance.
- Pay an annual subsistence charge.
MCP permit deadlines
The deadline for holding an MCP permit depends on when the plant was installed. All new MCPs commissioned since 20 December 2018 must hold a permit before operating. For existing plant (installed before 20 December 2018), the deadline depends on the rated thermal input:
- Plant rated between 5MW and 50MW needed a permit in place by 1 January 2024. This deadline has now passed, if your plant falls into this bracket and isn’t permitted, you’re currently operating unlawfully and should apply without delay.
- Plant rated between 1MW and less than 5MW must have a permit in place by 1 January 2029.
Regulatory body determination times currently run to several months, so we’d recommend starting the application process well ahead of your compliance deadline rather than close to it.
You are breaking the law if you operate without a permit when you should have one. Our experts can help you understand whether you need a permit and guide you through the application process.
Benefits of our Medium Combustion Plant Environmental Permit service
- Understand whether an MCP environmental permit applies to you
- Ensure compliance with the MCPD
- Manage pollution and reduce harm to the environment
- Contribute to better air quality and public health
- Ensure Emission Limit Values are met and evidenced
- Benefit from consultants who’ve worked across a wide range of sectors and plant types
- Concentrate on your core business activities
What to expect from our Medium Combustion Plant Permit service
Our environmental consultants will determine what type of MCP permit your business requires (standard or bespoke). We will then:
- Prepare and submit application forms and supporting documentation.
- Liaise with regulatory bodies on your behalf and attend meetings.
- Carry out risk assessments.
Our experience applying for and obtaining environmental permits across a range of sectors gives us the expertise to guide you through the entire application process, and to advise on the best way to demonstrate to regulators that you have the right policies and procedures in place.
Delivered by a team of experienced environmental experts, this service ensures your business operates in line with regulatory requirements — leaving you to focus on your core activities.
