Total and Microsoft have formed a strategic partnership to further digital transformation and support progress toward net zero emissions.
It’s hoped that each firm can feed of one another’s respective areas of expertise, bringing “concrete opportunities for collaboration” over the coming years.
By 2025, Microsoft aims to be supplied entirely by renewable power, with Total’s “global presence and market knowledge” expected to be key in achieving that goal.
In turn, the French oil supermajor will further leverage Microsoft’s cloud platforms as part of its wider IT transformation.
That includes using the Azure cloud computing service for digital transformation projects and for Total Digital Factory.
Total will also explore the value of the Power Platform to automate business processes, reduce costs and allow easier access to data for developers.
As part of its sustainability objectives, Microsoft aims to eliminate its dependency on diesel fuel by 2030.
Total, through its affiliate Saft, will support the technology giant by developing a long-term roadmap to diesel-free operations.
A range of onsite backup energy assets will be assessed, including the deployment of large scale battery storage systems.
Total will also help Microsoft secure renewable energy through power purchase agreements (PPAs) – a first PPA of 47 megawatts (MW) has been agreed for Microsoft’s Spanish operations.
As part of its ambitions to get to net zero by 2050, Total is building up a portfolio of activities in renewables that is expected to account for up to 40% of its sales by the middle of the century.
At the end of last year, Total’s gross power generation capacity worldwide was around 12 gigawatts (GW), including 7 GW of renewable energy.
The Paris-headquartered company is expected to hit 100 GW of green energy production by 2030.
Patrick Pouyanné, chairman and CEO of Total, said: “The rapid development of Total and Microsoft in their areas of expertise brings many opportunities of cooperation for both companies, who are at the forefront of the fight against climate change.
“We are committed to bringing our expertise by selling green electricity to support Microsoft in achieving its sustainability goals, and we’re pleased to rely on Microsoft’s cloud and AI solutions to accelerate our digital transformation. This is fundamental to drive progress towards a world with net-zero emissions”.
Yesterday, Microsoft announced it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Orsted and Aker Carbon Capture to explore using carbon capture and storage to cut emissions from biomass power plants in Denmark.
Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft, said: “We have an enormous opportunity to use advances in digital technology to reduce greenhouse emissions.
“Our strategic partnership with Total will apply the comprehensive power of Microsoft cloud platforms to accelerate Total’s transition to new energies and to meet sustainability goals.”
