Medium Combustion Plant Directive

What is the Medium Combustion Plant Directive?

The Medium Combustion Plant Directive (MCPD) (EU) 2015/2193 is a European Union directive introduced to improve air quality by regulating certain pollutant emissions from combustion plant with a net rated thermal input (or gross fuel output) of between 1MW and 50MW.

The aim of the MCPD is to reduce sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and dust emissions by introducing Emission Limit Values (ELVs) for all eligible plant. 

Emission Limit Values for boilers

The MCPD requirements were introduced locally through the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2018. Plant between 1MW and 50MW rated thermal input will require a permit to operate. Further guidance is available here. Information on how the MCPD is applied in Scotland can be found here.

At least 75% of the affected plant is predicted to fit into the 1MW to 5MW category, with 80% anticipated to be boilers. 

While sulphur dioxide and dust emissions from boilers are minimal, ELVs are in place to mandate NOx emission levels. These are as follows:

What action must be taken?

Under the regulations, all new plant over 1MW put into operation after 20 December 2018 is required to be registered or have obtained a permit and comply with an ELV of 100mg/Nm3 @3% O2. 

Existing plant, installed and commissioned before 20 December 2018, must be registered or have obtained a permit and comply as follows:

Who’s responsible?

Plant operators are responsible for registering or obtaining a permit for all eligible plant when required and update it as required. The plant must meet ELVs and be monitored regularly to ensure that non-compliance is kept to a minimum. Keeping a record of plant operation will help achieve this.

Remeha and MCPD

It’s important to note that only individual plant over 1MW is in scope and not an aggregation of smaller plant – such as a cascade of smaller boilers – within the same plant room. 

For Remeha products, only the very highest output Gas 610 Eco Pro condensing boiler models are in scope of the legislation.

All Remeha condensing boilers have been engineered to meet low NOx as well as high-efficiency criteria. With NOx levels for our Gas 610 Eco Pro-10 section as low as 26mg/kWh, our products all easily comply with the MCPD. 

For more information on the MCPD, visit the EU website.