• H&M Group’s VPPA with Lightsource bp will enable the construction of the 125MW Second Division solar project in Texas, supporting local energy independence and reducing emissions by 155,000 metric tons annually.
• The solar project, set to be operational by the end of 2024, will power approximately 20,500 U.S. homes each year and cut carbon emissions equivalent to removing 33,300 cars from the road.
• The project incorporates sustainable practices, dedicating less than 10% of land to infrastructure, planting site-specific vegetation, and integrating sheep grazing to boost biodiversity.

H&M Group has strengthened its commitment to renewable energy through a virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) with Lightsource bp for the 125MW Second Division solar project in Brazoria County, Texas. This partnership marks a significant step in the company’s strategy to contribute to the growth of renewable energy infrastructure and reduce its carbon footprint.

Ulrika Leverenz, Head of Green Investment at H&M Group, emphasized the importance of proactive investment:

“Considering fashion’s environmental impact, we see great value in moving away from just using certificates to contributing to more clean energy. By partnering with solar and wind farm developers, we can help build renewable electricity capacity in power grids around the world.”

The project, expected to become operational by late 2024, will channel electricity into the local grid, enhancing energy security and sustainability while offsetting approximately 155,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. This equates to taking about 33,300 fuel-burning cars off the road.

Helen Brauner, Interim Chief Operating Officer at Lightsource bp USA, highlighted the broader benefits of such agreements:

“Corporate energy buyers with sustainability goals such as H&M are not only making a meaningful positive impact on our environment. They are enabling the construction of new, home-grown lower carbon energy infrastructure that supports energy diversification, grid reliability, and local economies.”

Aligned with its net-zero emissions target by 2040, H&M Group aims to source 100% renewable electricity for its operations by 2030, with at least 50% coming from PPAs linked to new renewable projects. This initiative aligns with global efforts to scale up renewable electricity capacity and support the transition to a fully renewable energy system.

Beyond clean energy production, the Second Division solar farm will incorporate sustainable land use practices, with less than 10% of the site dedicated to infrastructure. The remainder will feature site-specific grasses and other vegetation, fostering biodiversity within five years of operation, and will include sheep grazing as part of its agricultural integration.

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