Environmental Permit - Part A(1) Installation
Large combustion plant (50MW thermal input and above) and other major industrial installations require a Part A(1) environmental …
Energy & Utilities
Energy and utilities
Environmental Permit - Medium Combustion Plant
Medium combustion plant (MCP) with thermal input between 1MW and 50MW require an environmental permit from the Environment Agency.
UK-wide
Guide summary
If your combustion plant has a thermal input between 1MW and 50MW, you must apply for an environmental permit from the Environment Agency. New plants need a permit before operation. Existing plants must apply by 1 January 2024 (5-50MW) or 1 January 2029 (1-5MW). The permit sets limits for emissions like nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide.
- Check if your plant is 1-50MW thermal input
- New plants: apply for permit before operation
- Existing 5-50MW plants: apply by 1 January 2024
- Existing 1-5MW plants: apply by 1 January 2029
- Permit sets limits for NOx, SO2 and dust emissions
- Apply online via Environment Agency
- Pay fee (£155-£2,233 depending on plant size)
- Allow 2-4 months for processing
- Implement emission monitoring systems
- Submit annual returns to Environment Agency
On this page
UK-wide
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What is a Medium Combustion Plant?
MCP is any combustion plant with a rated thermal input between 1MWth and 50MWth, burning any fuel. This includes:
- Combined heat and power (CHP) plants
- Backup generators
- Boilers and engines
- Gas turbines
Permit deadlines
Key compliance dates:
- New MCP (from Dec 2018): Permit required before operation
- Existing 5-50MWth: Permit required by 1 January 2024
- Existing 1-5MWth: Permit required by 1 January 2029
Emission limit values
MCP permits set limits for:
- Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
- Sulphur dioxide (SO2)
- Particulate matter (dust)
-
1
Determine plant classification
Determine if your combustion plant is 1-50MWth thermal input
-
2
Identify deadline
Identify whether plant is new or existing (affects deadline and requirements)
-
3
Apply for permit
Apply for permit via Environment Agency online system
-
4
Pay application fee
Pay application fee (varies by plant type and complexity)
-
5
Implement monitoring systems
Implement emission monitoring and reporting systems
-
6
Submit annual returns
Submit annual returns to Environment Agency