Apply for a permit for a standalone medium combustion plant between 1 and less than 20 MW thermal input
If you do not currently hold a permit but have an existing MCP between 5 and less than 20 MW thermal input or you wish to install a new MCP between 1 and less than 20 MW thermal input you must:
Complete the online application form below
Include the correct application fee with the application
If you don’t send us all the information we need, it will take longer to assess your application.
If you already hold an MCP, Specified Generator, waste operation or installations permit and have existing MCPs on site, you do not need to apply to vary your permit to include these at this time. We will contact you regarding your existing MCPs.
If you wish to add a new MCP to your existing MCP, Specified Generator, installations or waste operation permit, please use the forms below.
Vary your MCP / Specified Generator / installations permit.
How long does a permit application take to process?
From when we let you know we have all the information we need to assess your application, we aim to make a decision within four months.
How much does a permit cost?
The cost of your permit will depend on the whether your MCP / SG is considered high or low risk.
Low risk MCP / SGs are not required to carry out an air quality modelling assessment to assess the impact from the activities as part of their permit application. These are called simple bespoke permits and cost £3,906.
If your low risk MCP /SG is also a Part B activity, the fee is £4,813.
High risk MCP / SGs are required to carry out an air quality modelling assessment to assess the impact from the activities and submit that with their permit application. These are called complex bespoke permits and cost £9,687.
If your high risk MCP /SG is also a Part B activity, the fee is £10,885.
You will also incur subsistence charges which are annual fees for managing compliance with your permit. We will send you an annual invoice for your subsistence charges.
Do I need to monitor emissions from my boiler, engine, generator or turbine?
For a new MCP you must start monitoring emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), dust and carbon monoxide within four months of the permit being issued or the start of operation, whichever is the latest.
For an existing MCP we will accept previous monitoring results for sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), dust and carbon monoxide as evidence of compliance with the relevant Emission Limit Values (ELV) provided as long as:
- you can prove which MCP was monitored
- the monitoring was taken within two years before the permit application date
- the monitoring was done to the relevant standard
If you have an existing MCP and have not yet monitored the emissions, you must start monitoring before 1 January 2025. We will include the appropriate monitoring method you should use in your permit.
Your permit conditions will also specify the requirements and frequencies for the follow up monitoring which will be annually or once every three or five years depending on the size of the plant.
How to monitor emissions from boilers, engines, generators or turbines?
There are two monitoring standards available for Medium Combustion Plants and Specified Generators.
Monitoring stack emissions: low risk MCPs and Specified Generators
You can use the Monitoring stack emissions: low risk MCPs and Specified Generators standard for:
- MCPs and specified generators permitted under a simple bespoke permit
- individual MCPs with a rated thermal input of less than or equal to 20 MW thermal input, that aggregate to less than 50 MW thermal input, which use natural gas or gas oil (light fuel oil), providing your MCP is not located within an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA)
- MCPs operating for less than 500 hours per year, without a specified Emission Limit Value (ELV)
- diesel back-up generator MCPs and specified generators that are operated for less than 50 hours per year for testing, without a specified Emission Limit Value (ELV)
- specified generators which use natural gas and have a rated thermal input of less than 5 MW thermal input
Read about Monitoring stack emissions: low risk MCP and Specified Generators standard on Gov.uk
In all other cases you will need to use the MCERTS standard.
MCERTS
Where continuous emission monitoring systems are used on MCPs and SGs you can use the MCERTS performance standard for low risk monitors.
Help and advice
Contact us if you are still unsure whether you need a permit.