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(Norwegian only)
Anders Opedal was invited to share his thoughts on the future of energy in our own podcast series distributed to a Norwegian audience. The challenges ahead is bigger than one company, one industry or one country. However, reflecting on the great achievements we have behind us, he has confidence in the ambition we have going forward - taking a leading role in the energy transition.
'We can't just flip a switch - the energy transition is going to take time. But we have to be hands-on and contribute. Because there's no time to waste.'
Anders Opedahl. CEO and president Equinor ASA
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'A transformation is underway in the world, both among public authorities, industries and consumers. There are other expectations as to what forms of energy we should use, and the demand for energy will change over time. Positioning the company optimally for a future that will be different from now is essential,' says Opedal.
'Discovering in 2030 or 2035 that: Oops, other forms of energy are actually demanded, Sorry, other energy forms are in demand now will be too late. You might as well pack up and turn off the lights. It is therefore important that we take every step possible now,' says Opedal.
It was with these thoughts in mind that he, on his very first day as chief executive, announced that he wants Equinor to take a leading role in the energy transition.
The question he has asked himself is: How can we ensure that Equinor remains a relevant company also in the future?
According to Opedal the answer can be found by identifying the important social challenges now and in the time ahead, and deciding how Equinor can best respond to these.
'In the decades to come our task will be to contribute to the energy transition from fossil fuels to other forms of energy, while continuing to create value.'
The long-term horizon is expressed in Equinor's ambition of being a net-zero energy company by 2050. This simply means that the company will then not contribute to global warming.
But what does the pathway to net zero look like?
'This is not done overnight. It is not like a switch - the energy transition will take time,' says Opedal.
But there are three areas that stand out and where Opedal believes that Equinor can help make a difference:
Separately these measures would not be enough. Combined, however, they show a path for how Equinor can both contribute to solving the climate challenge facing the world and be a profitable and relevant company in the future.
The leader and the engineer. With his engineering background, Equinor's new CEO feels that Equinor's employees' technological expertise and innovativation are one of the company's most valuable assets.
Photo: Ole Jørgen Bratland
Opedal reminds the company that the most valuable resource is neither located under the seabed, nor in the air.
'It is our employees' skills, experience and knowledge that will be essential to successfully achieving our ambitions,' he says.
'I have become a leader because there were others that were perhaps better engineers than me. And it is they who actually explore and develop the solutions we need. It is my task to cheer them on, ensuring that the good ideas are taken on board, that we support them, start investing in pilot projects, and scale up.'
He refers to the technological expertise and innovativeness that the Equinor employees together possess as Equinor's industrial muscle. And it is this muscle he would like to have working in the same direction.
- Sustainability
Equinor is taking great steps to reduce its footprint. We're a broad energy company with a strong commitment to sustainability. Read more here.
Read more - Our new Climate Roadmap
Equinor has launched a new Climate Roadmap aiming to ensure a competitive and resilient business model in the energy transition, fit for long term value creation and in line with the Paris Agreement.
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Equinor ASA published this content on 05 March 2021 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 05 March 2021 09:54:05 UTC.
