Lidl Ireland has officially opened the doors to Ireland’s first Net Zero Energy supermarket in Maynooth at 8am this morning, marking the realisation of a landmark project which represents a new chapter in Irish retail, demonstrating how large-scale businesses can deliver on national climate commitments while enhancing local communities.
Creating 32 permanent new jobs for the local area, and putting Maynooth on the map for sustainability, the opening is expected to draw large crowds this morning, with Minister of Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O’Brien T.D. in attendance to cut the ribbon and officially open the store.
Representing an investment of more than €10 million in the local area, construction of the pioneering design store commenced in February, following the temporary closure of the Lidl Maynooth store to facilitate transformational works, and supported 150 jobs locally.
Designed in partnership with the Irish Green Building Council and combining the most innovative and sustainable construction techniques and design, Lidl Maynooth represents the pinnacle of smart engineering, with the new store being the first supermarket in Ireland to aim for BREEAM Outstanding standards.
Built to exacting standards, construction prioritised renewable features and the use of sustainable materials including stone salvaged from the original Maynooth store reused on site, concrete made from 50% recycled materials, sustainable glulam timber roof beams and lower embodied carbon roof and wall panels.
Generating all of its operational energy from on-site renewable sources, the store features a 575 kWp solar panel system installed across the roof and car park – the equivalent of 13 tennis courts - to power the building, and offsetting the embodied carbon from its construction through renewable energy generation.
Internally, the store is at the forefront of the latest sustainable technologies, incorporating new-generation energy-efficient refrigeration systems that recycles waste heat to warm the store through mechanical heat recovery.
The store is expected to save enough energy to power over 40 typical Irish households each year and the equivalent carbon savings of avoiding 1,500 flights from Ireland to Spain annually, setting a new standard for sustainable retail in Ireland.
It marks a significant milestone in Lidl’s commitment to achieving net-zero by 2050 across its entire supply chain, as part of its ‘A Better Tomorrow’ sustainability strategy. Lidl has also committed to reducing carbon emissions by 46 per cent on operational emissions by 2030.
Shoppers will experience a brighter, greener, and more energy-efficient store than ever before, complete with stunning eco features that make this Lidl truly one of a kind. The Maynooth store boasts a beautiful pollinator-friendly Community Garden with bird boxes, native wildflower planting, and insect log piles, creating a thriving habitat for biodiversity right in the heart of the local community. Adding to the natural feel, a striking living wall surrounds the store entrance, sustained by a smart rainwater recovery system that keeps the garden green year-round.
Shoppers can avail of 110 customer car parking spaces, including a total of 8 electric vehicle charging spaces powered by renewable electricity, and two additional EV charging spaces for staff. For those choosing active or electric travel, there are 12 free-to-use chargers for e-bikes and scooters, along with enhanced cycle parking facilities.
Customers will also benefit from two Deposit Return Scheme machines, one of which is a bulk feeder, making it only the second Lidl store in Ireland to feature this high-capacity model.
Welcoming the opening of this store, Minister of Climate, Energy and the Environment, commented:
"This project in Maynooth is a powerful example of how innovation in the private sector can help us meet our national climate goals. Lidl’s €10million investment in Ireland’s first Net Zero Energy supermarket shows real leadership and proves that sustainability and economic growth can go hand in hand. It is encouraging to see a company of Lidl’s scale embed low-carbon design and community benefit into every stage of its operations, setting a strong example for others to follow. I first visited this site in the very early stages of construction back in May, and I am very impressed at the scale and speed at which this project has been delivered by Lidl. I want to congratulate the Lidl team on this project and wish them every success for the future.”
Robert Ryan, CEO of Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland, added:
"Today’s opening of Ireland’s first Net Zero Energy store in Maynooth marks a significant milestone in our sustainability journey. It demonstrates how a national retailer can successfully align commercial growth with environmental responsibility. As Ireland’s largest commercial owner of solar panels, we are proud to be leading the decarbonising of the retail sector and setting a new benchmark for energy-efficient store design.”
“More than just a supermarket, our Maynooth store will act as a test bed for sustainable innovations, enabling us to trial, refine and scale technologies that deliver meaningful energy and carbon savings across our entire network.”
“Above all, this store empowers our customers to make more sustainable choices in their everyday lives. Our ambition is clear: when customers shop at our Net Zero Energy Maynooth store, they can do so knowing it has zero net impact on climate change.”
Lidl Ireland employs more than 6,000 people across its 188 stores, Head Office and three regional distribution centres. The company was recently named Ireland’s Most Sustainable Retailer in the 2024 RepTrak Sustainability Index and continues to advance its ambition of achieving net zero operations by 2050.
