Tech giant Microsoft and oil major Total have agreed a strategic partnership to advance their shared goal of becoming net-zero carbon emitters.
The partnership will bring together the companies’ distinct sets of expertise. While Total has traditionally been an oil and gas producer, as well as a maker of derived products like commercial vehicle oil, Total is ramping up its portfolio of renewable projects. It will therefore help Microsoft achieve its goal of using entirely renewable energy by 2025 through power purchase agreements. Its Saft subsidiary will also look at the feasibility of using battery technology to replace Microsoft’s diesel-based backup generators for data centres.
Total will take advantage of Microsoft’s cloud platforms to transform its IT practices, such as by adopting Microsoft Azure in its Total Digital Factory. In addition, it will also collaborate with Microsoft in identifying how Office 365 can enhance its modern workplace.
The CEO and Chairman of Total, Patrick Pouyanné, said both companies’ rapidly evolving expertise opened up considerable opportunities for collaboration in combatting climate change, adding:
“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.”
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, meanwhile, commented on how his company’s advanced digital technologies can help businesses like Total to meet their sustainability objectives.
