Category: Energy

Ørsted starts construction on second Irish Solar Farm

Ørsted has begun construction on its second Irish solar farm in Ballinrea, located between Carrigaline and Cork City.

Once completed, the 55MW solar project will have the potential to generate enough electricity to power 16,000 homes.

Awarded a RESS 4 contract in September 2024, it’s expected the solar farm will be fully operational in 2026. Ballinrea marks Ørsted’s second solar project to take off in Ireland – following the 81 MW first phase of Garreenleen Solar Farm in Co. Carlow, on which construction began in June last year.

In solar, Ørsted’s current pipeline stands at over 700 MW, supporting the Irish Government’s 8 GW solar energy target by 2030. The investment in Ballinrea is the twenty first advanced or operational onshore wind and solar project in Ireland, powering the equivalent of 250,000 homes nationwide.

Commenting on the news, TJ Hunter, Vice President Onshore in UK & Ireland at Ørsted, said: “I am delighted to confirm that we’ve begun construction on our second Irish solar farm in Ballinrea. If we are to ultimately achieve a green energy future in Ireland, solar is a fundamental piece of the jigsaw. We have a strong solar pipeline currently at over 700 MW and we will continue to look at opportunities for solar projects in Ireland to help the government achieve its target of 8 GW of solar energy target 2030”.

“2024 marked Ørsted’s biggest ever construction year with 1.5 GW of onshore renewables and 6.7 GW of offshore wind currently in construction across the globe. While challenges remain, we are confident we are going in the right direction to create an energy system run on clean, reliable and renewable power”. 

Ørsted has also bolstered its presence in Ireland, relocating to a brand-new office space on Albert Quay, Cork. The high-specification office is Ørsted’s onshore headquarters for Europe employing over 100 people, with the ambition of growing that number. Ørsted’s investment in Ireland has reached €800 million, across a mixed portfolio of wind and solar projects. 

Power Capital Renewable Energy, in partnership with AIB, Bank of Ireland and Societe Generale, has successfully completed a project finance round to develop approximately 300MW of solar farms across Ireland

Power Capital Renewable Energy, in partnership with AIB, Bank of Ireland and Societe Generale, has successfully completed a project finance round to develop approximately 300MW of solar farms across Ireland.

This agreement secures facilities of nearly €220M to support the development of seven projects ranging in size from 6.5MW to 153MW.

The combined production of this portfolio will generate enough electricity to power over 70,000 homes per year.

All projects were awarded a tariff under the Department of Environment, Climate & Communication’s second Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS 2) in 2022.

Projects have commenced construction and are set to be completed and operational in 2026, contributing significantly to the government’s goal of generating 80% of Ireland’s energy from renewable sources by 2030.

As part of the RESS 2 scheme, local communities will benefit from a contribution of €2 per MWh throughout the duration of the program.

Power Capital already has 230MW of fully operational projects since 2024 and continues to expand its portfolio, with an additional 400MW secured under the RESS 3 and RESS 4 schemes.

Power Capital: Justin Brown CEO says: “We have dedicated nearly 12 months to this transaction, encompassing seven solar projects across multiple counties and collaborating with various construction and finance teams to achieve a successful outcome. This is an outstanding achievement for Power Capital, our team and everyone involved. We are very excited to build on this success and advance our RESS 3 & 4 portfolio later this year.”

 AIB: Jim Arigho Director, Climate Capital says: “The rollout of utility scale solar energy generation is a vital component in Ireland meeting its Climate Action targets and complements wind energy generation.  This financing is a milestone on that journey and AIB is delighted to work with the Power Capital team again in helping Ireland make the transition to a more sustainable future.”

 Bank of Ireland: Michael Lauhoff, Head of Specialist Banking, Corporate & Commercial commented:  “Bank of Ireland is delighted to support Power Capital in reaching this important milestone. The debt package will finance the delivery of a scaled and diversified portfolio of solar assets which will directly contribute to decarbonising Irish energy. As a long-term financier of Irish renewables, the provision of capital to the sustainable energy market is a key strategic ambition for Bank of Ireland and we are proud to be part of these exciting projects.”

 Societe Generale said: “Societe Generale is delighted to support the development of Power Capital, one of the leading Irish renewables developers, and have worked alongside Power Capital, AIB, and Band of Ireland since the start to bring the financing to a successful close. The portfolio of solar farms could contribute towards Ireland’s 2030 renewable generation targets and the development of renewable assets in the country.”

Industrial decarbonisation experts, Astatine, partners with dairy co-op Arrabawn on €3.5m solar installation

Leading dairy co-operative Arrabawn has partnered with Irish industrial decarbonisation specialists, Astatine to install a new solar power system that will supply the Tipperary-based agri business with some 15% of its annual electricity needs.

Based in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, Arrabawn is one of Ireland’s biggest dairy co-operatives, collecting and processing more than 500 million litres of milk per year from its network of shareholder farmers. The decision to install solar PV (photovoltaic panels) is part of Arrabawn’s strategy to decarbonise its operation, focussing on reducing scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions.

Following a competitive tender process, Arrabawn selected Astatine as its solar partner. The Dublin-based green energy supplier delivered a full turnkey solution that included project development, planning permission, engineering design as well as construction of the solar installation at Arrabawn’s headquarters in Nenagh.

The project saw Astatine install 9,000 ground-mounted solar panels which have a combined solar installed capacity of 5,800 kilowatts (KW), generating 5,400 megawatt hours per year of clean renewable energy. This will provide Arrabawn with 15% of its annual electricity requirement, offsetting circa. 1,400 tonnes of CO2 per year which is the equivalent of supplying more than 1,200 houses with electricity.

Astatine specialises in helping companies to decarbonise their energy needs through a range of technologies including rooftop and ground-mounted solar PV, thermal batteries as well as industrial heat pumps, and thermal storage that can reduce both carbon emissions and operating costs.

Project fully financed by Astatine

The €3.5 million project was fully financed by Astatine, meaning there was no capital investment on the part of Arrabawn. The renewable energy being generated is supplied to Arrabawn via a long term power purchase agreement (PPA) – at a similar or discounted rate compared to the grid – with Astatine also managing the operation and maintenance of the system for the duration of the PPA.

“We’re delighted to have been selected by Arrabawn to install and maintain a solar PV system that will help to future-proof the company’s energy needs and put the company on a more sustainable footing,” said Tom Marren, CEO of Astatine.

“Agriculture accounts for a significant portion of Ireland’s carbon emissions and the low-hanging fruit are the large, centralised processing plants like the Arrabawn facility here in Nenagh,” Mr. Marren said. “Installing solar PV or heat pump technology into this type of facility is the equivalent of decarbonising hundreds of individual farms and can put a huge dent in the agri sector’s overall emissions.”

“We look forward to supplying Arrabawn and other agri businesses with clean, renewable, low-cost electricity for many years to come and we’re proud to be playing a part in Ireland’s vital decarbonisation journey,” Mr Marren said.

Arrabawn recently announced a proposed merger with Tipperary Co-op to form Arrabawn Tipperary Co-operative Society, pending regulatory approvals which will be owned and controlled by over 4,800 members with more than 1,400 farmers supplying almost 750 million litres of milk annually.

“Like all dairy co-operatives in Ireland and around the world, two of our biggest challenges are reducing costs and reducing carbon emissions,” said Conor Ryan, CEO of Arrabawn.

“Having already installed a heat pump at our Nenagh facility, the addition of solar PV takes us to the next level in terms of ensuring our future supply of clean, renewable, energy,” Mr. Ryan said. “The fact that the project involved no upfront capital investment and was fully financed by Astatine also made it attractive to our shareholders as we look to a more sustainable future.”

SSE acquires 120MW/240MWh battery storage project in County Offaly

SSE has acquired the project development rights for a 120MW/240MWh grid-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) project in County Offaly from UK-based renewable energy company Low Carbon which, if approved for final delivery, could be constructed and operational by the end of decade.

The purchase marks another step forward for SSE Renewables, the renewable energy business of FTSE-listed SSE plc, as it continues to grow its battery storage development portfolio on the island of Ireland.

Under the deal SSE Renewables has acquired the consented Thornsberry BESS project from Grid Systems Services Limited, a developer of grid-scale battery storage projects in Ireland owned by Low Carbon.

Thornsberry is on a secured greenfield site in the townlands of Derrynagall and Ballydaly near Tullamore with planning consent for a grid-scale BESS. It has a grid connection offer to connect 120MW of import/export capacity to Ireland’s national grid via an adjacent existing 110kV substation.

The proposed battery system would be capable of storing up to 240MWh of energy for flexible dispatch at times of peak demand. When called upon, Thornsberry would be capable of providing back-up energy to the equivalent of over 115,000 Irish homes for up to two hours at a time*, while also delivering essential balancing services to Ireland’s energy system.

Subject to a final investment decision by SSE Renewables, the project could enter construction and be operational by the end of the decade. The project would be expected to provide a boost to the supply chain and job creation in County Offaly and the wider Midlands during delivery. It would also support the delivery of local authority essential services in Offaly through the payment of development contributions and commercial rates.

The addition of the Thornsberry project grows the company’s secured battery pipeline in Ireland to 300MW, as part of a wider 1.8GW pipeline across the Ireland and the UK.

Heather Donald, Director of Onshore Wind, Solar and Battery – UK and Ireland, SSE Renewables, said: “Acquiring the consented Thornsberry project in County Offaly is another great step forward in our plans to grow SSE Renewables’ battery storage development portfolio in Ireland. The addition of this grid-scale project can make an important contribution to the delivery of SSE’s fully funded five-year Net Zero Acceleration Programme, while also advancing the diversity of the technologies in our portfolio.

“The Midlands has a long and proud tradition of supporting Ireland’s energy security. With the development of new onshore wind, solar and battery projects such as Thornsberry, the region can continue to play a significant role in delivering homegrown energy for Irish consumers while decarbonising the country’s power system. In doing so, we can help ensure vital energy projects can deliver positive social and economic benefits to County Offaly and the wider Midlands.”

Low Carbon, who began developing the project in 2018, were one of the first movers to develop, build and operate battery storage and solar in the Irish renewables market having provided approximately 20% of the country’s operational storage capacity.

Located near Tullamore in County Offaly, the Thornsberry project is on a secured greenfield site with planning consent for an installed capacity of 120 MW and a grid connection offer to connect to the Irish national grid via an existing 110kV substation. Once built, the project could power more than 115,000 homes for up to two hours at times of peak demand, underlining the key role battery storage is playing in unlocking the path to net zero.

It follows Low Carbon’s recent announcement on a 6 GW Dutch battery storage portfolio, underscoring their market leading position of developing battery storage assets which are essential for advancing global decarbonisation efforts and grid stability as demand for electricity grows.

Founder and Chief Executive of Low Carbon, Roy Bedlow, said: 

“We are delighted to collaborate with SSE on this project, which underscores Low Carbon’s leading position in the Irish storage market. Furthermore, this announcement demonstrates our expertise of delivering high-quality investable assets to the market, meanwhile playing an important role in supporting our future growth as we aim to build 20 GW of new renewable energy.

Certa launches new lower carbon biofuel for home heating

Fuel supplier Certa has become the first Irish operator to launch a new lower carbon blended biofuel for the home heating market as it continues to pursue its strategy of delivering cleaner energy solutions for domestic customers.

The company, which is part of DCC plc, has said that its new fuel could enable each of the 700,000 Irish households who currently use liquid fuel heaters to lower their home heating carbon emissions by up to 20%. Ireland’s residential sector currently accounts for 10% of national emissions.

The newly launched biofuel comprises a 20%/80% blend of HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil), which is produced from waste plant matter, and kerosene. Householders can use this instead of home heating oil directly without any need to replace or modify their boilers.

The new lower carbon fuel will be rolled out across Certa’s national network of 23 home heating depots, starting this week with its depot in Tallaght which will supply customers in south and west Dublin and north county Kildare.

Kerosene is the most common fuel used in home heating systems in Ireland. Certa supplies almost 100,000 customers with 265 million litres of home heating fuel each year. The average household consumes between 1,000 and 2,000 litres of home heating fuel per annum.

The new product launch will be supported by a full marketing campaign across print, digital and out of home to promote and further encourage customers to switch to the new blended biofuel.

Orla Stevens, Managing Director, Certa Ireland said:

“Our goal at Certa is to make it easy for customers to transition to cleaner energy solutions that reduce their carbon footprint. We are leading the way in introducing solutions that are accessible and affordable. Switching to this lower carbon HVO-Kerosene fuel is easy. There is no requirement to upgrade your home heating boiler and it can be done with zero disruption to the household”.

“We are delighted to be the first fuel supplier in Ireland to launch a new lower-carbon fuel for home heating. We will empower our customers to make positive and impactful environmental changes in their own homes and to help Ireland achieve its longer-term ambition of net zero by 2050.”

The launch follows Certa’s success in attracting diesel drivers to switch to HVO to reduce their carbon emissions by up to 90%. Last year, it became the first fuel operator to open a fully-fledged HVO fuel station in Liffey Valley and has since become the first to offer HVO at 10 of its forecourts. One in five of Certa’s network of 49 unmanned, pay@pump forecourts now offers HVO alongside other fuels.

Certa’s commitment to making new cleaner energy solutions more accessible and affordable has also led to its acquisition of leading solar and renewable energy specialists Alternative Energy Ireland. AEI offers Ireland’s only cashback guarantee if the solar system does not perform as promised, providing customers with financial compensation for the amount of the loss concerned.

Certa has also helped a growing number of businesses and events to lower their emissions and to transition to HVO as a renewable fuel, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), John Sisk & Son Ltd., Dublin Airport, Dublin Port, The National Ploughing Championships, the Irish Open and Bloom.

The company is one of the first HVO suppliers in Ireland to be awarded International Sustainability Carbon Certification (ISCC) which provides full transparency and traceability throughout the supply chain. This certification enables Certa to create and assign Proof of Sustainability (POS) certification to the businesses that it supplies with HVO.

Microsoft announces pioneering green hydrogen pilot project with ESB

Microsoft announced today that it has entered into an agreement with ESB that will see its data centre power control and administration building in Dublin be powered by zero emissions green hydrogen power. The landmark pilot project is the first time that Hydrogen Fuel Cells will be used to provide electricity to a Microsoft data centre in Europe, supplying up to 250kW of clean energy to Microsoft’s Dublin campus over an eight-week period.

ESB’s zero-emission Hydrogen Fuel Cells convert stored green hydrogen to electricity, with the only by-product being pure water. Designed to replace diesel generators, Hydrogen Fuel Cells produce no carbon emissions or harmful local air pollutants such as particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides, which can have significant health and environmental impacts.

The groundbreaking pilot is part of a series planned by ESB in 2024 and 2025 to showcase the versatility of hydrogen fuel cell technology in different power applications.  The pilot is the first step in demonstrating the potential impact that hydrogen energy can have in helping to decarbonise the strategically important data centre sector in Ireland.

Commenting on the launch of the pilot, Eoin Doherty, Vice President, EMEA Regional Leader, Microsoft Cloud Operations + Innovation, said: “The green hydrogen project we’re launching with ESB is a pioneering first for Microsoft in Europe, demonstrating how zero-emissions hydrogen can be harnessed to power our digital lives. If scaled successfully, it could provide new ways of advancing sustainability in our sector and beyond.”

Lavinia Morris, General Manager, Microsoft’s EMEA Data Centre Operations, commented further: “This pilot project is another important step in our journey to transition to carbon-free electricity supply for our data centres, buildings, and campuses around the world. As we look to advance a more sustainable future, we hope to build on the success of this pilot project and continue to find innovative ways to decarbonise our operations.”

Jim Dollard, ESB Executive Director, Generation and Trading, commented: “ESB believe green hydrogen will play an important role in the net zero energy system of the future. We’re delighted to be working with Microsoft on this innovative pilot project that will showcase the potential for green hydrogen as part of zero emission electricity generation for data centres.” 

Microsoft’s Hydrogen Fuel Cell pilot project, in collaboration with ESB, is aligned with the ‘Principles for Sustainable Data Centre Development’ set out by Government in its 2022 policy statement by supporting the development of data centres that make efficient use of the electricity grid and delivering renewable energy.

Today’s announcement to harness green hydrogen is one of many steps and innovations that Microsoft is bringing to the data centre sector to ensure the sustainability of its existing and future cloud and AI infrastructure. In 2020, Microsoft announced an ambitious set of goals, encompassing all global infrastructure and operations, to be a carbon negative, water positive, and zero waste company that protect ecosystems by 2030.

As well as investing in innovative technologies, Microsoft is playing a key role in helping to decarbonise the electricity grid. In November 2022, Microsoft announced new renewable energy contracts related to the development of more than 900 megawatts of onshore wind and solar energy projects in Ireland alone. The projects will see Microsoft significantly contribute to the Irish Government’s 2030 corporate power purchase agreement (CPPA) target.

This pilot project also builds upon Microsoft’s ongoing testing and innovation in the area of hydrogen power, more of which is detailed here.

Vodafone, first telco to sign Corporate Power Purchase Agreement in Ireland

Vodafone Ireland has signed a new Corporate Power Purchasing Agreement (CPPA) with energy supplier Flogas, along with its infrastructure partner Vantage Towers.

This agreement allows Vodafone to directly purchase renewable electricity from the Derrynadivva Wind Farm located in Mayo. Vodafone is the first telco in Ireland to sign a CPPA.

The investment of €6million is part of the company’s sustainability goals to achieve net zero across its full value chain by 2040. Combined with other agreements Vodafone has in place, 100% of its Irish operations are matched with certificates of renewable energy sources in Ireland.

The energy secured within this agreement gives Vodafone access to clean, high quality and affordable renewable electricity for its extensive network of cables that deliver mobile and fixed services to customers across Ireland. As part of this agreement, the company’s infrastructure partners, Vantage Towers will also receive renewable energy from the Derrynadivva Wind Farm.

Amanda Nelson, CEO at Vodafone Ireland said: “We are proud of the steps we’re taking to not only support our customers to be greener but also green our own operations. Today’s announcement is an investment in Ireland and its renewable energy industry. This is a significant step towards our own ambitious net zero targets.’’

Brian McHugh, Managing Director at Vantage Towers Ireland said: “Vantage Towers’ infrastructure network is totally powered by renewable energy, in line with our global ESG agenda. Sustainability is a necessity, and this agreement with Flogas is a further commitment to minimizing the impact of our business on the environment, and a continued investment in Ireland’s natural generating capability.’’

 Pat Brett, Director at Derrynadivva Wind Farm Ltd said: “We are thrilled that Derrynadivva Wind Farm in Co Mayo continues to play a pivotal role in Ireland’s transition to a sustainable energy future. By delivering clean, renewable wind energy to some of the nation’s largest companies, we are not only helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also supporting these businesses in their commitment to more efficient and responsible energy consumption.”

 James Temple, Renewables Manager at Flogas, said: “The CPPA with Vodafone Ireland underscores the accelerating commitment of Irish companies to increase their use of carbon-free energy and lead in renewable energy adoption. As a leading provider of clean energy CPPAs, Flogas is dedicated to enhancing the economic feasibility of renewable projects and advancing Ireland’s transition to a low-carbon economy.”

Vodafone’s sustainability strategy also focuses on reducing its energy consumption. In Ireland, the company uses an Intelligent Energy Management System. This is a system in which a machine learning algorithm across the 4G network analyses traffic patterns in real-time, allowing Vodafone reduce congestion and ultimately reduce energy consumption by 10 to 15%. 

Vodafone Ireland also provides ways for customers be more sustainable including ‘Fix & Go’ for repairs and upgrades to extend the lifecycle of phones, as well as eSIMs which reduce carbon emissions by removing the need to manufacture and ship plastic, and a variety of eco accessories.

In 2022, Vodafone became the first telco in Ireland to offer a device trade-in service which has been very well received by customers, with over 35,000 devices returned to Vodafone to date. The initiative offers customers up to €400 for old smartphone devices which customers can use as store credit towards the purchase of a new device or receive payment directly into their bank account. After the device is traded in Vodafone ensures each device is refurbed, recycled or repurposed, as part of our commitment to a circular economy.

Irish-led wave energy project gets go ahead from EU

A €19.6 million partnership project, which aims to be the stepping stone towards large scale wave energy commercialisation, has received formal go-ahead from the European Union.

WEDUSEA is a pioneering collaboration between 14 partners, spanning industry and academia from across the UK, Ireland, France, Germany and Spain. It is co-ordinated by the Irish company OceanEnergy.

The project is co-funded by the EU Horizon Europe Programme and by Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency.  

In common with all other Horizon Europe projects, WEDUSEA has undergone a comprehensive independent review by EU appointed external experts following its initial project design period to ensure the technical designs and all plans, budgets and protocols are fully in place and approved.

The green light has now been received from the EU and the project can proceed to its next stage.

The WEDUSEA project will demonstrate a grid connected 1MW OE35 floating wave energy converter at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) wave energy test site at Billia Croo in Orkney, Scotland. A rigorous technical and environmental demonstration will happen over a two-year period in Atlantic wave conditions.

OceanEnergy has developed the OE35, which is the world’s largest capacity floating wave energy device. Floating on the ocean’s surface, the device incorporates a trapped air volume, with the lower part open to the sea. Wave pressures at the submerged opening cause the water to oscillate and drive the trapped air through a turbine to generate electricity. Electricity generated will be exported to the UK grid via EMEC’s subsea cables. 

Prof Tony Lewis, Chief Technical Officer at OceanEnergy, says: “Wave energy is the world’s most valuable renewable resource with around 30TWh of potential annual production waiting to be harnessed. That’s almost ten times Europe’s annual electricity consumption. However, this potential has yet to be fully realised. The project will demonstrate that wave technology is on a cost reduction trajectory and will thus be a stepping stone to larger commercial array scale up and further industrialisation. We predict that the natural energy of the world’s oceans will one day supply much of the grid.” 

The WEDUSEA project has three phases. The first phase is the initial design and build of a device suited to the ocean conditions at EMEC’s Billia Croo wave energy test site. This will be followed by the demonstration at the site, lasting two years. The final phase will be commercialisation and dissemination which sees the capitalisation and exploitation of the results. 

Matthijs Soede from the European Commission said at the start of the project: “WEDUSEA is set to be a major catalyst for the wave energy industry, unlocking the full potential of this exciting renewable technology. 

 

Prof Lars Johanning of University of Plymouth says: “The WEDUSEA partnership has worked hard to ensure that all detailed designs and planning are robust, to prove that the project is viable and that the project will be delivered within budget. Now we have received the green light from the EU, it’s all systems go!”

The wave converter build starts in the second half of 2024 and the demonstration at EMEC is expected to begin in June 2025.

 

Disclaimer: Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

This international partnership comprises the following 14 organisations:

  1. OCEAN ENERGY (NEW WAVE TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED) – IRELAND 
  2. INNOSEA – FRANCE
  3. ADVANCED SIMULATION TECHNOLOGIES – SPAIN
  4. FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV – GERMANY
  5. UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, CORK – IRELAND
  6. GAVIN AND DOHERTY GEOSOLUTIONS LTD – IRELAND
  7. EXCEEDENCE LTD – IRELAND
  8. WOOD – IRELAND
  9. HYDRO GROUP PLC – UK
  10. THE EUROPEAN MARINE ENERGY RESEARCH CENTRE – UK
  11. LONGITUDE CONSULTING ENGINEERS LIMITED – UK
  12. UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTH- UK
  13. INNOSEA LTD – UK
  14. GREEN MARINE (UK) LTD -UK 

The website is www.wedusea.eu

Gamma Labs Research Reveals Trends in Energy Efficiency of Irish Homes

Gamma Labs, the leading location intelligence technology company in Ireland, has published a comprehensive new report that sheds light on energy efficiency trends within the nation’s housing stock. Collaborating with BERWOW, a specialist in Building Energy Ratings (BER), the report analyses energy efficiency across various socioeconomic demographics, geographic locations, and property types.

The report finds a correlation between BER ratings and the socioeconomic status of homeowners. Notably, one-third (33%) of A-rated homes are concentrated in the most affluent 10% of the country, while a mere 2% of homes in the least affluent areas achieve an A rating. Moreover, over a quarter (26%) of homes in these economically disadvantaged regions are rated E or below.

In assessing energy efficiency across counties, the study identifies stark disparities. Only four counties – Cork, Kildare, Louth, and Meath – report an excess of A/B-rated homes compared to those rated E/F/G. Conversely, counties such as Clare, Leitrim, Mayo, Offaly, Roscommon, and Tipperary show a concerning trend, with more than double the number of E/F/G-rated homes compared to A/B-rated homes.

The findings also indicate that private lettings are the least energy efficient housing option in Ireland, with 86% of such properties receiving a C rating or lower; nearly half (47%) of these homes earned a D rating or worse. In contrast, newly constructed homes demonstrated higher energy efficiency, with 89% assigned an A rating and the remaining properties receiving a B rating. Overall, it is revealed that only 42% of the entire housing stock has been evaluated for a BER certification.

Another noteworthy insight uncovered by the research was the uneven distribution of kilowatt-hours per square metre of floor area (kWh/m²), which determines a property’s BER. Peaks and troughs were observed in every band at the cutoff points between ratings and were more pronounced at cutoffs which would result in a letter change in a property’s rating.

For example, there were almost three times as many properties listed with an energy requirement of 299 kWh/m² than 301kWh/m², with 300kWh/m² being the cutoff between a C and D rating. There are a wide number of popular methods to drive even small incremental changes such as the installation of additional low energy lights or a new cylinder lagging jacket.

This report is released in conjunction with Gamma’s strategic rebranding into two distinct entities. Gamma Labs aims to simplify complexity, support profitability and enable sustainability for organisations by leveraging property and neighbourhood data. Meanwhile, its Insurtech business, Gamma Risk, uses cutting edge technology and analysis to assess risk for insurance companies and related stakeholders.

As a step towards sustainability, Gamma Labs is also part of the EU’s OneClickRENO research project. This initiative aims to transition to zero-emission building standards by emphasizing the benefits of comprehensive renovations through Building Renovation Passports (BRPs).

The full report is available on www.gammalabs.ie/white-paper-ber-insights-energy-efficiency-of-irish-homes/

Commenting on these findings, Charlotte Cuffe, Chief Data Scientist at Gamma Labs, said: “Having access to such property insights is not just useful for homeowners in terms of assessing energy efficiency and retrofitting options (including grants), but also construction companies, energy providers, banks, estate agents and insurance companies. This data can provide a baseline or a benchmark from which people can look to improve their green credentials.”

Michael Hanratty, CEO of BERWOW, added: “Equipping stakeholders with data which can enhance their service offerings, lower investment risk, and empower sustainable decision-making is a crucial step in the sustainability journey