Medium Combustion Plant Directive and Specified Generator Regulations

Overview

The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations (EPR) 2018 SI 110 were published in January 2018 to transpose the requirements of the Medium Combustion Plant Directive (MCPD) EU/2015/2193 of 25 November 2015 and to control emissions from the operation of Specified Generators

Medium Combustion Plants (MCP) and Specified Generators (SG) are a major source of air pollutants that may cause harm to human health and the environment.  The MCPD sets out rules to control emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and dust into the air. The SG regulations in EPR also control emission to air, primarily NOx, from generators that would not be otherwise captured by the MCPD. Together they seek to protect the environment by securing reductions of these pollutants.

Within EPR the requirements for MCPs are set out in Schedule 25A and for SG in Schedule 25B. The schedules include significant dates for submitting a permit application.

The Environment Agency (EA) administers and regulates the scheme for England. The other UK regulators include: Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and Natural Resources Wales (NRW)

You can find more information on our guidance pages here: Medium combustion plant and specified generators: environmental permits - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Below are useful documents including the latest briefings from the EA about the implementation of MCPD in England, there are also as yet unpublished guidance notes relevant to MCP & SG operators’