The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Microsoft and Equinor October 14, representing the Northern Lights carbon capture and storage (CCS) project, serves as a great example of transatlantic public-private cooperation on new technology development, as well as a strong signal when it comes to addressing shared global challenges. Chargé d’Affaires Richard Riley was pleased to attend the signing hosted by Norway’s Minister of Petroleum and Energy Tina Bru. The event included statements by Norway’s Prime Minister Erna Solberg and Microsoft’s President Brad Smith.
Equinor is developing the Northern Lights project together with Shell and Total as equal partners. According to Microsoft, the group will explore how to integrate Microsoft’s digital expertise and work to find ways to invest in the effective development of the project. Microsoft says that it will also look at the of use Northern Lights’ carbon transport and storage facility as part of its own portfolio of carbon capture, transportation and storage projects. Microsoft states that CCS has great potential to reduce carbon output, and the company has pledged to be carbon negative by 2030 and to remove from the environment by 2050 all the carbon Microsoft has emitted since it was founded in 1975. “This is a challenge that no one government or corporation can solve alone,” says Lucas Joppa, Chief Environmental Officer for Microsoft. “We all need to do more, and those of us who can move faster should.”
Press releases:
Microsoft:
Northern Lights is innovating for the future of carbon transport and storage
Equinor:
Equinor collaborates with Microsoft on Northern Lights carbon capture and storage value chain
Prime Minister Erna Solberg:
Statement from PM Solberg at the signing of MOU Northern Lights
Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy:
Norwegian government hosts Equinor and Microsoft MOU signing for Northern Lights project