MCP Permit Deadline: Are Your Generators and Boilers Compliant?

The Medium Combustion Plant (MCP) Directive is now fully implemented in the UK, meaning all combustion plants between 1MW and 50MW thermal input must hold a valid environmental permit. Operators who have not yet applied face potential enforcement action from the Environment Agency.

The MCP regulations (Environmental Permitting Regulations, Schedule 25A) apply to: - Standby diesel generators (including data centre backup power) - Gas-fired boilers and CHP units - Biomass combustion plants - Any combustion plant between 1MW and 50MW

Key compliance requirements include: - Permit application — new MCPs must be permitted before operation; existing plants had transitional deadlines based on capacity - Emission limit values — NOx, SO2, CO and dust limits apply depending on fuel type and plant capacity - Stack emissions testing — periodic MCERTS testing is required to demonstrate compliance - Stack height determination — H1 assessments may be required for new installations

Alkali Environmental provides a complete MCP compliance package: - Permit application preparation and submission - H1 stack height determination modelling - MCERTS periodic emissions testing - Ongoing compliance monitoring and EA reporting

Our team has processed MCP permit applications across all plant types and fuel categories, from single standby generators to multi-unit backup power installations at data centres and hospitals.

If you're unsure whether your combustion plant requires an MCP permit, contact us for a free compliance check. Non-compliance can result in enforcement notices, financial penalties, and reputational damage.