British oil and gas company BP has agreed to supply Microsoft with renewable energy to help meet the tech giant’s 2025 renewable energy goals.
In return, Microsoft will give BP access to its Azure cloud services. BP uses these for digital twin production, data analytics, security and other digital purposes.
Both the companies have agreed to work as strategic partners to further digital transformation in energy systems and advance net zero carbon goals.
BP regions, cities and solutions executive vice-president William Lin said: “BP is determined to get to net-zero and to help the world do the same. No one can do it alone – partnerships with leading companies like Microsoft, with aligned ambitions, are going to be key to achieving this.
“By bringing our complementary skills and experience together, we are not only helping each other achieve our decarbonization ambitions but also creating opportunities to support others on their journey towards reducing carbon emissions.”
The renewable energy supplied by BP will power Microsoft datacenters across regions including the US, Europe and Latin America. Microsoft aims to use 100% renewable energy goal by 2025, while BP aims to go net-zero by 2050.
The two companies have signed a memorandum of understanding. Under this the two parties agreed to focus on four areas: smart and clean cities, clean energy parks, consumer energy, and industrial internet of things solutions.
Microsoft Worldwide Commercial Business executive vice-president Judson Althoff said: ”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.
“A strategic partnership such as this enables each organization to bring its unique expertise for industry-leading change and the potential to positively impact billions of lives around the world.”
In 2019, Vattenfall agreed to support Microsoft’s plans to power its new data centres in Sweden with 100% renewable energy.