Mitie has partnered with Morgan Sindall Construction to deliver the full mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) installation at Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg (YGG) Rhosafan, a new primary school in Port Talbot, Wales. Designed to achieve BREEAM Excellent certification, recognising best-practice standards in sustainable building design and environmental performance, and an EPC A+ rating, the highest level of energy efficiency, the school is set to become one of the most energy-efficient school buildings in South Wales.
The project has been designed in line with the Welsh Government's Sustainable Schools Challenge, which explores how schools can be delivered with the involvement of learners, staff and the wider community while achieving net carbon in operations.
YGG Rhosafan is expected to open its doors in September 2027 to 420 pupils aged three to eleven, including 90 nursery places and 12 places for pupils with additional learning needs. The new school will feature 16 classrooms, a staff room, childcare and nursery facilities, and a 110-space car park featuring a solar car port and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. The car park will also support access to the adjacent community hub, which includes meeting spaces, a community room, kitchen facilities and a dance studio.
Morgan Sindall is leading construction, while Mitie is installing and commissioning the building’s mechanical and electrical infrastructure. This includes a 291.51kWp solar PV system with a 474-panel solar car port, six air source heat pumps, and more than 1,500 smart LED light fittings with smart controls that automatically adjust to occupancy and daylight levels.
The school will also feature underfloor heating and an advanced building management system incorporating night-time ventilation, which uses cooler air overnight to reduce temperatures inside the building. Together, these systems will help improve energy efficiency, maintain high indoor air quality and create a comfortable learning environment for students and staff throughout the year.
Chris Tyerman, Interim Managing Director, Technical Services, Mitie, said:
“Schools play an important role in shaping opportunities for future generations, so it’s vital that the buildings we create today are designed to support learners, teachers and local communities for decades to come.
“At YGG Rhosafan, we’re helping to create a modern, sustainable school that gives children the best possible setting to learn and grow, with comfortable, inspiring spaces that support wellbeing, engagement and achievement.
“By combining innovative engineering with low-carbon technologies, this project supports the Welsh Government’s net zero ambitions and demonstrates how sustainable school buildings can reduce environmental impact without compromising on performance.”