Lidl unveils Ireland’s first net zero energy supermarket in €10m green leap

Lidl Ireland has taken a major step towards a greener future with the opening of Ireland’s first ever Net Zero Energy supermarket in Maynooth, Co Kildare. It has invested more than €10m into the local community in delivering the first supermarket in the country to produce all of its own energy from renewable sources and have no impact on the climate.

Lidl Maynooth’s sustainable features include:

– A lush living wall surrounds the store entrance, sustained by a smart rainwater recovery system

– A pollinator-friendly community garden with bird boxes, native wildflower planting and insect log piles creates a thriving habitat for biodiversity

– Six EV charging stations powered by renewable electricity as well as 12 free-to-use chargers for e-bikes and scooters, along with enhanced cycle parking facilities

– Two DRS machines – one of which is a high-capacity bulk feeder (only the second of its kind in any Lidl store in Ireland!) making it even easier for customers to recycle large quantities of plastic bottles and cans in one go

– Solar panels installed across the roof and car park – equivalent to the size of 13 tennis courts – allows the store to operate efficiently overnight

– Innovative, energy efficient technology within the store and its chillers and freezers captures waste heat to keep these areas cool, and recycles it to heat the store.

– Built using stone salvaged from the original Maynooth store, concrete made from 50% recycled materials, sustainable timber roof beams and lower embodied carbon roof and wall panels.

With every detail considered, from recycled building materials to community donations of soil, fencing, and timber, Lidl’s Net Zero Energy store in Maynooth is a proud first for Ireland and a glimpse at the future of greener shopping.