The plans for a groundbreaking offshore wind energy project in Bangladesh are now being supported by the international fashion company, which is set to invest up to USD 100M in renewable energy solutions in one of its key manufacturing countries. The ambition behind the largest sustainability investment in BESTSELLER's history is to limit the emission of greenhouse gases in the fashion industry's value chain.

By 2028, energy created by near-shore wind turbines could flow into the electricity grid in Bangladesh and supply companies with renewable energy. This is the ambition behind a large wind energy project in Bangladesh, where many international fashion companies have production and thus an interest in strengthening the green energy infrastructure.

One of them is the international fashion company BESTSELLER, which now supports the development of the first offshore wind project.

Specifically, BESTSELLER will invest up to USD 100M in the wind project, which constitutes a part of the total project investment. The amount is the largest sustainability investment in the fashion company's history.

Importance of partnerships

The wind project off the coast of Bangladesh is initiated by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), a global leader in renewable energy investments, and local partners. BESTSELLER's investment is made in collaboration with the Swedish H&M Group through an initiative from the nonprofit organisation Global Fashion Agenda (GFA), which aims to bring together major players in the global fashion industry to develop the industry in a more sustainable direction - most recently with a particular focus on scaling up renewable energy in manufacturing countries.

One of many steps

In the fashion industry, indirect GHG emissions from, for example, material production and manufacturers typically account for 90-95 percent of fashion companies' total emissions. To reduce and minimise emissions in its value chain, BESTSELLER works closely with its suppliers to set reduction targets and support transitions to renewable energy sources.

In 2022, BESTSELLER, for example, enabled its textile manufacturers in Bangladesh to invest in solar panels at their facilities.

Awaiting analyses and environmental samples

Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners has in recent years developed and created several green energy projects, all of which aim to contribute positively to the green transition and access to more renewable energy. Therefore, the Danish-owned energy company is pleased with the perspectives in the Bangladesh wind energy project and the backing that BESTSELLER and H&M Group now have pledged.

The wind project in Bangladesh is still in the early-stage development phase. In the coming years, CIP will work closely with the authorities in Bangladesh and other strategic partners to further develop the project, carry out the necessary analysis work, and initiate a series of environmental tests. The preparatory work is a prerequisite for the project to be realised. If greenlit, the wind farm is expected to be in operation in 2028.
  • The wind energy project in Bangladesh, is in the early stages of development by CIP, a global leader in renewable green investments.
  • If the project is approved, it will be the first large-scale offshore wind park in Bangladesh reducing CO2 emissions by approximately 725,000 tons annually.
  • With a capacity of around 500 MW, it will contribute to Bangladesh’s ambition of becoming independent of fossil energy.
  • Additionally, the project will contribute to job creation and stabilisation of the energy supply.
  • BESTSELLER's and H&M Group's investment contributes to the total project sum.
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