Dalkia wins £11m MEP package at Penicuik High School redevelopment

Dalkia's Scottish division has won an £11m contract to deliver the full mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) package at Penicuik High School in Midlothian, working under main contractor Morrison Construction.

The package covers the school's new extension and supports the refurbishment of the original 1930s building, Dalkia said in an announcement on 26 October 2026.

Dalkia said its MEP design uses high-efficiency mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) systems and intelligent controls to improve the buildings' energy performance. The firm said the works will support compliance with the Scottish Government's Learning Estate Investment Programme and Midlothian Council's net zero objectives.

John Irvine, Regional Director at Dalkia, said: "Our appointment at Penicuik High School reflects our proven ability to deliver complex MEP installations on major education projects."

The project

Midlothian Council named Morrison Construction Ltd as preferred main contractor in March 2025 and confirmed the appointment of Morrison Construction's Building Central business in March 2026. The council said the appointment marked the move from several years of planning and design into construction.

The scheme replaces the school's existing 1960s block with a new three-storey extension while the B-listed 1930s building is retained and retrofitted. The council said enclosed courtyards will provide a new social space for dining and indoor sports.

According to the council, the completed school will have space for up to 945 pupils, including dedicated provision for 24 young people with Additional Support Needs. Atkins Realis leads the design team and Holmes Miller is project architect, the council said in March 2025.

David Ewing, Managing Director for Morrison Construction Building Central, said: "This scheme brings together the careful refurbishment of a historic building with high-quality new construction."

Budget and programme

The council approved an extra £10.7m for the project in December 2025, saying the additional funding was needed because of continued pressures within the construction market. It cited higher prices for building materials, which it said have affected large-scale public sector projects across Scotland.

At that point the council expected main construction to begin in spring 2026. By March 2026, both the council and Morrison Construction said preparatory works were under way and the main building programme would start in summer 2026. Dalkia said this week that construction is already under way on the three-storey new build.

The council expects the new building to be ready for pupils and staff to move into by spring 2028, with handover in March 2028. The final phase, including demolition of the old 1960s block and new landscaping, is scheduled to conclude by October 2028.

Penicuik High School was selected in Phase 2 of the Learning Estate Investment Programme, announced in December 2020. The Scottish Government says the £2bn programme supports 46 projects.

Dalkia and Morrison

Dalkia describes itself as a technical and energy services company in the UK and is backed by EDF. The Penicuik award follows earlier work with Morrison Construction Ltd, including a completed MEP contract at Sacred Heart Primary School in South Ayrshire and previous projects at Killearn Primary School, Dunoon Primary School and Dreghorn Barracks.

Dalkia said the Penicuik contract adds to a growing portfolio of education sector work for its Scottish division in the east of Scotland.

The full Penicuik High School project is expected to be complete by autumn 2028.