Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Business

BP considering using solar power for all U.S. operations

According to Bloomberg, the London-based petroleum company has a partial ownership in LightSource BP, a clean energy company. In 2017, the oil giant said it would invest $200 million in Lightsource BP over three years for a 43 percent stake.

Headquartered in London, England, Lightsource BP, rebranded from Lightsource Renewable Energy in 2018, is the largest solar developer in Europe, and third largest in the world outside of China. The company targets the growing demand for large-scale solar projects worldwide with a focus on grid-connected plants and corporate power purchase agreements signed with private companies.

In an interview, Tuesday at Infocast’s Solar Power Finance & Investment Summit in San Diego, Lightsource BP Chief Commercial Officer Katherine Ryzhaya said, “It’s a no brainer for them to play in solar. They’re doing it for financial reasons.”

This latest initiative by BP is in line with its plans to continue growing without increasing its carbon footprint. In February, BP bowed to pressure from investors, including the Church of England, by backing a plan to explain how its strategy and investments are consistent with the Paris climate agreement.

Other oil majors are also turning to clean energy to run their operations, especially now that renewables are cheaper than fossil fuels. Exxon Mobil Corp. last year agreed to contracts to buy 500 megawatts of solar and wind power in the Permian Basin. More recently, Petroleum Development Oman said it signed a deal to buy solar on the Arabian peninsula.

“It was only a matter of time before the oil companies started signing deals,” BloombergNEF analyst Kyle Harrison said in an email.

However, NASDAQ points out that investors should remember that even though oil companies are transitioning and working to lower their carbon footprint, “the global market will continue to demand oil for decades,” said BP early last year. In fact, hydrocarbon will continue to be the key source of revenues, added BP.

Avatar photo
Written By

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our dear friend Karen Graham, who served as Editor-at-Large at Digital Journal. She was 78 years old. Karen's view of what is happening in our world was colored by her love of history and how the past influences events taking place today. Her belief in humankind's part in the care of the planet and our environment has led her to focus on the need for action in dealing with climate change. It was said by Geoffrey C. Ward, "Journalism is merely history's first draft." Everyone who writes about what is happening today is indeed, writing a small part of our history.

You may also like:

Social Media

Wanna buy some ignorance? You’re in luck.

Business

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said the carrier was reviewing recent incidents and would redouble safety initiatives as needed - Copyright AFP Logan CyrusUnited...

World

US President Joe Biden speaks during a reception honoring Women's History Month at the White House - Copyright AFP Brendan SMIALOWSKIDanny KEMPUS President Joe...

Business

A Milei marks 100 days in office, thousands protest his austerity measures - Copyright AFP Luis ROBAYOLeila MACORArgentina’s President Javier Milei has slashed public...