New Lidl Ireland store aims to provide 'living testbed for the future of sustainable retail across Europe'
Lidl Ireland is laying claim to Ireland’s first net zero energy supermarket.
The new loaction in Maynooth, Co. Kildare is pitched as a huge step forward on its Road to Zero journey – combining forward thinking design, renewable energy generation and the most advanced sustainability features ever implemented in a Lidl store.
Key highlights include:
- 575 kWp rooftop solar PV system - 2.5× the standard store size
- On-site battery storage (215 kWh) powering the store for up to six hours
- 40% reduction in energy consumption vs. a standard store
- 25% reduction in embodied carbon through sustainable construction materials
- Green travel options including EV charging, e-bike/scooter and cargo bike spaces
- Biodiversity focused landscaping, green walls and rainwater harvesting systems
- BREEAM Outstanding certification
In a LinkedIn post, Tim Ulbrich, COO at Lidly Ireland and Lidl Northern Ireland, said: "Together, these innovations make Maynooth a living testbed for the future of sustainable retail in Ireland and across Europe.”
“A huge thank you to everyone involved in this achievement, and especially to Jack Fitzgerald, our project manager, whose exceptional dedication and expertise brought this ambitious project to life. We’re proud to lead the way in sustainable construction and energy innovation and today’s opening shows what the future of Irish retail can look like."
2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS
Green retail was a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.
We received a record number of entries and many fantastic examples of the continued resilience and dynamism of the retail space during hugely challenging times.
For a full rundown of all of the shortlisted entries, click here.
Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC in Central London on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.
In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”
“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”
He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”
Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.
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