Fife Passivhaus school reports 50% cut in energy use despite pupil heat complaints

BAM UK & Ireland reports the Passivhaus-certified Dunfermline Learning Campus cut energy consumption by about 48% and lowered energy bills by £433,392 in its first year, while a councillor reported some pupils felt uncomfortably hot in parts of the building.

The Dunfermline Learning Campus in Fife, built to Passivhaus standards and opened in Autumn 2024, is reported to have significantly reduced energy use in its first year of operation. Developers and operators BAM UK & Ireland say monitoring shows roughly a 48% fall in energy consumption and a £433,392 cut in energy bills. Some local councillors have reported pupils felt hot and uncomfortable at times, with confusion over window opening raised at a council meeting. The building brings together about 2,700 students from Woodmill and St Columba's on a shared campus and is managed under a three-year facilities contract that includes live monitoring. Key details: - Reported first-year energy consumption reduction: about 48%. - Reported first-year energy bill savings: £433,392. - The campus is Passivhaus-certified and opened in Autumn 2024, serving around 2,700 students from two schools. - BAM UK & Ireland delivered the project and now operates it, reporting performance about 20% better than the original energy target. - A digital twin and building management system collect data from 150 metering points every 30 minutes for live monitoring of temperature and air quality. - At a Fife Council meeting a councillor reported pupils were stressed and uncomfortable because of heat and uncertainty about opening windows. Summary: Monitoring and operation are continuing under the existing facilities management contract, and developers report the building is exceeding its in-use energy targets and delivering substantial cost savings. Funding under the Scottish Learning Estate Investment Programme remains linked to first-year in-use performance, and ongoing monitoring is planned as part of the contract.