AIB and Lidl Ireland have announced a refinancing arrangement of €80 million in green lending, following the development of eight new state-of-the-art, energy-efficient supermarkets across the island of Ireland.
The investment supports five A1 BER (Building Energy Rating) rated stores in the Republic of Ireland and three EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) A-rated stores in Northern Ireland, which are open for business and which, according to Avril O’Hehir, chief financial officer at Lidl Ireland, are setting new standards in responsible retail development.
The stores are located in Kilcarbery, Enfield, Ballyfermot, Carndonagh and Maynooth in the Republic of Ireland, and Carryduff, Stewartstown and Strabane in Northern Ireland. “The development highlights AIB and Lidl’s continued commitment to building a sustainable future for communities across the island of Ireland,” says Cathy Bryce, managing director, Capital Markets, at AIB.
Last November, Lidl opened its pioneering net-zero store in Maynooth, Co Kildare, supported by refinancing from AIB. The flagship Maynooth site, Ireland’s first net-zero supermarket, generates all operational energy from onsite renewable sources. The store features a 575 kWp solar panel system installed across the roof and car park to power the building and offset the embodied carbon from its construction through renewable energy generation.
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Lidl is Ireland’s largest commercial rooftop solar panel operator, with installations across more than 100 stores and logistics centres. These investments support Lidl Ireland’s overarching sustainability strategy, which aims to reach net-zero emissions across its supply chain by 2050 and to cut operational carbon by 46 per cent by 2030.
‘The success of the Maynooth net zero store highlights what can be accomplished through a shared commitment to sustainability and customer-focused innovation’
— Avril O’Hehir, Lidl Ireland
The Maynooth store’s construction integrated sustainable materials, including stone salvaged from the original Maynooth store and concrete with 50 per cent recycled content.
The sustainability focus extends beyond the construction phase, and the store features latest generation energy-efficient refrigeration systems that recycle waste heat to warm the store through mechanical heat recovery technology.
There are also biodiversity features and a community garden on the store grounds, further demonstrating Lidl’s commitment to sustainability leadership, according to O’Hehir. A lush living wall surrounds the store entrance, sustained by a smart rainwater recovery system that provides year-round irrigation to the garden.
“We are delighted to expand our partnership with Lidl Ireland,” says Bryce. “Supporting innovative projects such as the Maynooth net-zero store demonstrates our commitment to empowering communities and businesses to act sustainably and responsibly. At AIB, we recognise that enabling businesses to invest in energy-efficient infrastructure is vital not only for a greener future, but also for building resilience and competitiveness within towns and villages around the country and the wider Irish economy. Together, we are setting a new benchmark for sustainability in the retail sector, fostering growth and supporting the transition to a low-carbon society.”
‘AIB’s purpose is empowering people to build a sustainable future and greening our business is a strategic priority’
— Cathy Bryce, AIB
Adds O’Hehir: “At Lidl, sustainability is at the core of our business strategy, and we are committed to investing in delivering the most sustainable retail operations on the island of Ireland. This investment from AIB is instrumental in achieving our ambitious sustainability objectives. The success of the Maynooth net-zero store highlights what can be accomplished through a shared commitment to sustainability and customer-focused innovation. We remain dedicated to reinvesting in green projects and intensifying our focus on responsible retail.”
AIB and Lidl’s relationship is built on shared values and a strong commitment to sustainability, Bryce points out. “Over recent years, the collaboration has delivered several milestones, including the first Green Loan in 2024, supporting Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme. At present, 100 per cent of AIB’s financing for Lidl is designated as green lending, ensuring that every euro is channelled to projects delivering tangible environmental benefits.”
The relationship is aligned to AIB’s core sustainability commitments. “AIB’s purpose is empowering people to build a sustainable future and greening our business is a strategic priority,” says Bryce. “We are investing in climate action to drive positive change, mobilising capital, supporting progress and innovation, and continuing to build on our sustainability leadership. AIB has a target to deploy €30 billion in climate action funding by 2030, and we are now more than 68 per cent of the way there. Green lending accounted for 36 per cent of new lending in the nine months to September 2025.”
In November 2025, AIB raised €1 billion million in its ninth green bond issuance, Bryce notes. “With €8.2 billion raised from issuing green and social bonds to date, this allows the bank to contribute to the financing of projects with clear environmental, climate action and social benefits.”
