Sustainability centre walks the walk at Welsh college

The Construction and Sustainable Energy Centre at Pembrokeshire College is one of the first further education establishments in the UK to receive an excellent rating for both design and delivery under the BREEAM system for the evaluation of green building measures.

The Welsh Assembly Government paid for the lion’s share of the £3m construction project.

The building includes biomass heating, solar hot water and harvests rainwater for toilet flushing.

30% of the materials used in the construction came from recycled materials and it is designed to maximise the use of daylight and natural ventilation.

Jane Davidson, Welsh Environment, Sustainability & Housing Minister said: “This building represents the next step in education thinking, the realisation of a vision for our environment and our young people.

“In terms of education it will benefit those who want to enter the construction industry, whether they are starting their careers or want to update their skills and knowledge. It will support Welsh industry and strengthen the links the college already has with employers and the energy sector.

“This building is also exciting in that it shows the direction we are travelling. It is energy efficient, relies on biomass heating and re-uses rain water. In other words it is sustainable and represents the future of new buildings across Wales.

“We recently launched our new sustainable development scheme which will see the Assembly Government using all its devolved powers to make Wales truly sustainable in every way, from how we manage the environment to how we develop the economy.

“The built environment will play a crucial part in this. Buildings like this are a clear response to the need to act and provide the examples others can follow.”

Sam Bond