The Environment Agency (EA) has announced deadline dates for applying for Medium Combustion Plant (MCP) and Specified Generator environmental permits, which are mandatory for anyone that operate plants over 1 MWth input to comply with the requirements of the Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR).
Key deadlines
All new MCPs commissioned after 20 December 2018 must have a permit in place from 01 January 2019 or before it’s commissioned, whichever is the latter. MCPs commissioned before 19 December 2018, known as ‘existing’, which are over 5 MWth input must have a permit in place by 01 January 2024; MCPs between 1 and 5 MWth input are due for permitting by 01 January 2029. Specified Generators that are also MCPs that have not already been permitted are also required to hold a permit by these deadlines.
Applications must be submitted to the Environment Agency by the following deadlines:
- 30 September 2023 for simple bespoke permits and standard rule permits
- 01 November 2023 for complex bespoke permits*
If you’re unsure on what you require, the EA has updated their guidance so that you can assess which type of standard rule or bespoke permit you must apply for and the information you will need to provide.
Please note you cannot apply for a permit for existing plants between 1 and 5 MWth input unless you are permitting a plant larger than 5 MWth input, or a new MCP alongside it. The EA are returning applications that do not satisfy this requirement.
How we can help
At NFU Energy, we can help determine which permit is applicable to you, apply for the permit on your behalf, and take the hassle away from ensuring ongoing compliance with our Environmental Management System and Extractive Testing Management services. We can also screen for habitat distances and assist with dispersion modelling via management with one of our third party suppliers for the more complex permits, giving you total peace of mind that the whole process is being taken care for you. Call the team today on 024 7669 6512 or email [email protected]
*NFU Energy will be submitting final complex bespoke permits by 15 December 2023 prior to closing for Christmas.