With the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) announcing upcoming changes to Building Energy Ratings (BER) ratings and certificates, we caught up with our sustainability expert and Director, Niall Coughlan, to learn more and discover what this means for developments across Ireland.

The SEAI’s changes to BER certification cover a variety of areas, including a revised rating structure and updates to how information is presented. With all BERs published after 24 May affected, the news has generated significant interest across the industry. However, at present, the changes are largely cosmetic and primarily lay the groundwork for the future introduction of the Zero Energy Building (ZEB) Standard. They are not expected to impact on compliance with current Building Regulations.

Simplifying the BER rating scale

One of the most notable updates is the move away from the familiar multi-tiered system (A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, B3, etc.) to a simplified A–G scale. The only exception is at the top end, where the A rating will now be divided into two categories: A and A0. Despite this structural shift, the underlying energy performance thresholds remain broadly consistent:

• An A rating will begin at 75 kWh/m²/year, which aligns with the current A3 rating.
• Current A2 ratings (25–50 kWh/m²/year) and A1 ratings (below 25 kWh/m²/year) will effectively fall within the new upper bands.
• The newly introduced A0 rating will begin at 42 kWh/m²/year.

This new A0 category is likely intended to align with anticipated revisions to Part L regulations and the transition toward Zero Energy Buildings (ZEB) over the next 12–18 months.

Building Regulation requirements remain unchanged
It’s important to emphasise that BER ratings themselves are not referenced in Building Regulations, and that compliance with Part L is based on achieving specific energy performance criteria, not a particular BER grade.

While there is typically a correlation between Part L compliance and achieving an A2 or A3 rating, this is simply a by-product of meeting energy efficiency standards, and not a regulatory requirement. As such, we do not expect the revised BER format to alter compliance obligations.

Additional metrics on BER certificates
The updated BER certificates will include some new data points, although much of the information is already calculated within existing methodologies. The primary additions are:

• Global Warming Potential (GWP)
• Operational Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Details on how these metrics will be calculated are still limited. However, their inclusion is another precursor to future regulatory requirements, particularly around embodied carbon and lifecycle analysis, which are expected to form part of upcoming Part L / ZEB updates.

 

Congratulations to Barbara Klaumann Lucas from our Dublin team who has been shortlisted for a Women in Construction ‘Rising Star of the Year’ award.

Part of the Irish Construction Industry Awards, the Women in Construction Awards celebrate the most innovative individuals and companies driving excellence in Ireland’s construction sector.

A civil engineer who has been part of our Dublin team since 2023, Barabara plays a key role in delivering planning approvals and engineering design for developments across Ireland. With a passion for embedding climate resilience, she has developed drainage and surface water management designs for multiple schemes, including major residential projects on key sites in north Drogheda, and Tomard in Athy town. She is also providing full site development infrastructure designs as part of the project team responsible for several new primary and secondary schools throughout the country.

The winner will be announced at an awards night 2026 on June 11 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santry.

Fingers crossed for Barbara!

Waterman Moylan was announced as the winner in the ‘Innovation – Large Project’ category at the Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland (ACEI) Awards for our ground-breaking design of Dublin’s major College Square scheme.

This award recognises the innovative engineering behind this exceptional project which has totally transformed this key site just 140 m south of the River Liffey and immediately north of Trinity College.

The mixed-use development unites two individual plots, College House and Apollo House, forming part of a regeneration programme led by Marlet Property Group. The existing 1970s-era 10-storey offices were demolished, and the Henry J Lyons-designed development now delivers high-end residential units, an entertainment venue in the double storey basement, and 540,000 sq ft of commercial floor space which achieved LEED Platinum Certification. Rising 82m above street level, College Square’s residential tower has now become Ireland’s tallest. This incorporates 58 high end apartments spread across the 11 upper storeys in the tower structure above the 11 storeys of commercial floors, which will benefit from 2,200 sq ft of internal communal amenity space, as well as external terrace areas.

Construction of two new schools in County Meath’s Dunshaughlin is now underway.

As a popular rural commuter town to the north of Dublin, Dunshaughlin’s population is steadily increasing. Intended to support this sustained growth, the BDP-designed scheme includes both a new primary and post-primary school, marking a significant investment in the town’s future.

Located to the south of Dunshaughlin on a 4.18-ha site, the development will deliver high-quality learning facilities with capacity for over 1,300 pupils and staff.

The post-primary school will accommodate 1,000 pupils and 75 staff. Facilities on offer include 37 classrooms, specialist rooms for home economics, science, art and technology, a PE hall, a four-classroom Special Educational Needs (SEN) unit, administration spaces, six external ball courts and extensive landscaping.

Meanwhile, the primary school will provide accommodation for 248 pupils and 20 staff. The two-storey, eight-classroom building includes a two-classroom SEN base, general purpose hall, support teaching spaces, junior play areas, secure SEN play areas, a sensory garden and an outdoor classroom.

Both schools incorporate car and bicycle parking, drop-off areas, pedestrian and cycle links, service connections, ESB substations, landscaping and associated site works.

Working closely with main contractor Ganson and the wider project team, our specialists are providing comprehensive civil and structural engineering support from initial planning through to construction stage on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.

Our scope includes detailed design development and coordination with multidisciplinary stakeholders to ensure compliance with all relevant building regulations and Department of Education & Youth Technical Guidance Documents

Commenting on the scheme’s progress, Waterman Moylan’s Associate, Brendan Gallagher said: “I’m delighted to see this campus development get underway. These new facilities will provide a major boost for this growing community and will also offer vital SEN support for local families. We look forward to seeing the scheme progress over the coming months.”