Permit deadline approaching for Medium Combustion Plant and Specified Generators (MCPD) regulations

Previously, we have highlighted the complex regulatory regime for Medium Combustion Plant and Specified Generators (MCPD) in the UK. This regulation introduced a permitting requirement for all new plants throughout the UK to hold a permit by 20th December 2018. And for Tranche B generators in England and Wales by 1st January 2019. 

These first two deadlines were the start of a phased implementation timetable, with a third deadline fast approaching. Organisations therefore need to take action to meet the next permit date of 1st October 2019.

Note: The 1/10/2019 permitting deadline does not apply in Scotland.

What generators are part of the next phase?

All existing generators with a thermal input in the range 5-50 MWth with NOx emissions above 500 mg/m3 (reference conditions STP and 15% O2) and which operate for more than 50 hours per year must hold a permit by this date. It should be noted that unabated diesel generators are likely to have NOx emissions above this threshold.

If you have generators that are affected, then this means applications must be submitted soon as the regulators are likely to need at least 12 weeks to process the applications and issue the permits.

Correctly completing and submitting against these regulations can be complex. In some cases, aggregation of the thermal inputs of the generators on a site is allowed and there are also some exemptions to the above requirement (e.g. true back up emergency generators are excluded from this deadline).

The regulatory package for the MCPD and Specified Generators regulations in England, issued by the Environment Agency (EA) is available here.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) documentation for sites located in Wales can be accessed here.

Details of the regulatory regime in Northern Ireland are available here.