BP and Microsoft partner to modernise energy systems

Energy company BP has partnered with Microsoft to accelerate digital transformation in the energy industry and advance the net zero carbon goals of both companies. As part of the collaboration, BP will continue to use Microsoft Azure for its infrastructure and supply Microsoft with renewable energy. 

Earlier this year, BP announced its plan to become a net zero emissions company by 2050 or sooner, and to help the world reach net zero. Microsoft also announced its goal to be carbon negative by 2030 in January. Microsoft says that the new partnership will “build on the potential that both companies see in working together to help deliver a net zero carbon future”.

“BP shares our vision for a net zero carbon future, and we are committed to working together to drive reductions in carbon emissions and fulfil demand with new renewable energy sources,” said Judson Althoff, executive vice president of Microsoft’s Worldwide Commercial Business. “A strategic partnership such as this enables each organisation to bring its unique expertise for industry-leading change and the potential to positively impact billions of lives around the world.”

The companies’ co-innovation will focus on four areas that combine Microsoft’s digital expertise with BP’s understanding of energy markets:

• Smart and clean cities: identifying areas in Microsoft’s ‘Smart Cities’ initiative and BP’s ‘Clean Cities’ vision to find new way to help cities achieve sustainability aims 
• Clean energy parks: co-development of clean energy parks with an ecosystem of low carbon technologies to prevent and reduce emissions
• Consumer energy: exploring news ways to use data to empower consumers to manage their energy use and reduce carbon emissions
• Industrial internet of things solutions: delivering an ‘intelligent edge’ of capabilities to BP production and operations facilities.

“BP is determined to get to net zero and to help the world do the same,” said William Lin, executive vice president for regions, cities and solutions at BP. “No one can do it alone – partnerships with leading companies like Microsoft, with aligned ambitions, is going to be key to achieving this. By bringing our complementary skills and experience together, we are not only helping each other achieve our decarbonisation ambitions but also creating opportunities to support others on their journey towards reducing carbon emissions.”