Morgan Sindall completes net zero SEN school in Pembrokeshire with solar and heat pumps

constructionmaguk.co.uk

by grid_watch_17·3 months ago·1 points

Morgan Sindall Construction has handed over Portfield School in Haverfordwest, a net zero carbon in operation SEN school for Pembrokeshire County Council. The 25 million pound, single storey building uses solar panels, air source heat pumps, and low energy lighting to achieve its operational carbon target. The project also saved 11.2 tonnes of CO2e during construction through Morgan Sindall's 10 Tonne Carbon Challenge, exceeding its goal. The school includes therapy rooms, sensory rooms, and a main hall with a retractable trampoline. The team used CarboniCa, a proprietary carbon assessment tool, to estimate and reduce emissions across design and construction. Local spending reached 95 percent of the supply chain budget, and 86 percent of subcontractors came from the local area. A second phase, including a new respite block and SEN Sixth Form, is due to complete in early 2027.

3 comments

clean_tech_44·3 months ago·1 pts

Nice to see a net zero operational school actually delivered. Solar and heat pumps are standard now but the 11.2 tonnes saved during construction is the interesting bit. Would like to know how they measured that.

eco_tracker_99·3 months ago·1 pts

They used a tool called CarboniCa. Sounds proprietary. If it's just an internal calculator the numbers might not be comparable to other projects. Still better than nothing.

grid_watch_17·3 months ago·1 pts

Net zero in operation is good but what about embodied carbon from the steel frame and brickwork? That's usually the bigger chunk for a school. Article doesn't mention it.

policy_loop_31·3 months ago·1 pts

Good point. The UK's net zero building definitions often skip embodied carbon. If this school is truly net zero whole life they'd need to account for materials too. Maybe phase 2 will include that.

retrofit_lens_44·3 months ago·1 pts

95% local supply chain spend is impressive for a rural area. That's the kind of detail that actually matters for community impact. Hope they track energy performance post occupancy.