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Shell to invest $5-6 billion annually in green energy

11 February 2021, MVT 22:50
Anglo-Dutch oil giant Royal Dutch Shell said Thursday that it slumped into a $24-million loss in the first quarter as the novel coronavirus crushed oil demand and crashed prices. PHOTO/AFP
11 February 2021, MVT 22:50

Anglo-Dutch oil giant Shell will invest up to $6 billion (4.9 billion euros) per year in green energy after its oil output peaked in 2019, the group said Thursday.

The energy major outlined extra cash for biofuels, electric car charging and renewables and said the group's crude oil production was gradually declining.

"Shell today set out its strategy to accelerate its transformation into a provider of net-zero emissions energy products and services," it said in a statement.

The company "confirmed its expectation that total carbon emissions for the company peaked in 2018, and oil production peaked in 2019".

Energy companies worldwide are accelerating plans to transition into greener energy, which demands big investments at a time when the oil majors are looking to make sizeable savings.

"Our accelerated strategy will drive down carbon emissions and will deliver value for our shareholders, our customers and wider society," Shell chief executive Ben van Beurden said.

"We must give our customers the products and services they want and need -- products that have the lowest environmental impact.

"At the same time, we will use our established strengths to build on our competitive portfolio as we make the transition to be a net-zero emissions business in step with society," van Beurden added.

The update came one week after Shell posted huge annual losses as the coronavirus pandemic slashed energy demand and prices in 2020.

Shell dived into a net loss of $21.7 billion (18.1 billion euros) last year as factories shut and planes were grounded.

The Anglo-Dutch group's loss compared with a net profit of $15.8 billion in 2019.

Shell's results and large job cuts mirrors the situation elsewhere in the energy sector.

British rival BP, which is cutting around 10,000 roles, reported a 2020 net loss of $20.3 billion.

US giant Exxon Mobil suffered an annual loss of $22.4 billion.

Meanwhile French peer Total on Tuesday said it was changing its name to TotalEnergies to reflect a move away from fossil fuels, alongside news it had posted a $7.2-billion net loss last year.

After lockdowns began to spread towards the end of last year's first quarter, oil prices dropped off a cliff, even briefly turning negative

Prices have rebounded sharply however to 13-month highs and levels seen before the pandemic took hold.

London, United Kingdom | AFP

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