NIB finances Scandinavia’s first zero-energy hotel in Sweden

NIB and the Swedish real estate company Fabege AB have signed a 10-year loan worth SEK 432.5 million (EUR 40.5 million) for the construction of Scandinavia’s first zero-energy hotel in Arenastaden, Solna.

The new 11-storey building, “Nationalarenan 3”, has a total area of 22,400 square metres and boasts Scandinavia’s first zero-energy hotel, operated by Nordic Choice Hotels. In addition to the hotel, the building houses an office section for Nordic Choice Hotels’ new Swedish headquarters and long-stay apartments. The building was inaugurated in June 2021.

The project is eligible for financing from the proceeds of NIB Environmental Bonds. The facade and roof of the building are clad with more than 2,400 square metres of solar cells, making the building one of the world’s most photovoltaic-dense hotels. These solar cells contribute to the building’s own electricity production. In addition to the solar cells, some 25 geothermal energy boreholes and passive house technology enable the building to produce more energy than the property consumes, hence, making it a zero-energy building.

In addition, the building is designed to keep heat loss at extremely low levels and has achieved FEBY ‘Gold Plushus’ certification, a Swedish rating standard for energy efficient building. It is also certified in accordance with the BREEAM-Excellent green building certificate, which evaluates the sustainability performance of the building.

“By achieving Scandinavia’s first zero-energy hotel, which is also one of the world’s most photovoltaic-dense, Fabege leads the way and challenges others to build more environmentally conscious and innovative buildings for the future,” says André Küüsvek, NIB President & CEO.

“We are pleased that the project Nationalarenan 3, which we are very proud of, meets NIB’s strict sustainability requirements. This loan complements our existing funding sources and contributes to our long-term financing”, comments Åsa Bergström, Fabege CFO.

Founded in 1924, Fabege AB is a Swedish property company that focuses primarily on the development, investment, and management of commercial premises in the Stockholm region. Fabege’s shares are listed on the NASDAQ Stockholm Nordic Exchange.

NIB is an international financial institution owned by eight member countries: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden. The Bank finances private and public projects in and outside the member countries. NIB has the highest possible credit rating, AAA/Aaa, with the leading rating agencies Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s.

For further information, please contact

Tony Mäkynen, Director, Materials and Real Estate, at +358 10 618 0523, Tony.Makynen@nib.int

Iiris Anttalainen, Communications unit, at +358 10 618 0258, Iiris.Anttalainen@nib.int