Former BP CEO appointed Chairman of sustainable data centre company
Written by Rebecca Uffindell Wed 27 Nov 2024
Prometheus Hyperscale Wyoming facilitySustainable hyperscale data centre company, Prometheus Hyperscale, has named an ex BP CEO, Bernard Looney, as Chairman of its Board of Directors. Prometheus Hyperscale said Looney brings decades of experience in the energy sector to his new role, where he will oversee the company’s strategic growth and flagship projects.
Looney’s career at BP began as a drilling engineer, eventually leading to his appointment as CEO in February 2020. His tenure included a focus on energy transition strategies, although he later revised the net zero commitments of BP in early 2023 to increase investment in fossil fuel production. He stepped down from the role in September 2023 following the disclosure of past undisclosed relationships with colleagues, leading to his dismissal for serious misconduct.
“Bernard’s extensive experience in energy and infrastructure development will be an asset as we work to deliver our sustainable data centres and set new benchmarks for the industry,” said Trenton Thornock CEO and Founder at Prometheus.
From BP to a Focus on Sustainable Data Centres
In a post on LinkedIn, Looney said he was drawn to Prometheus Hyperscale by the opportunity to address AI’s immense energy demands while promoting sustainability. He was inspired by the company’s innovative, self-sufficient data centres and sees this role as a chance to drive ‘Net Positive AI’, balancing AI’s transformative potential with environmental responsibility.
Prometheus Hyperscale said it is working to address the environmental challenges posed by the increasing energy demands of hyperscale data centres, driven by the growth of artificial intelligence (AI). By 2026, global data centres are expected to consume over 1,000 terawatt-hours of electricity annually, comparable to the energy use of Japan.
The company’s flagship project in Evanston, Wyoming, represents a £7.8 billion ($10 billion) investment in sustainable infrastructure. The 1GW-capacity facility, set to be operational by 2026, will use advanced liquid cooling systems to improve energy efficiency and reduce water usage while reusing waste heat. Prometheus is also exploring diverse energy sources, including renewables and nuclear power, through partnerships with companies such as Oklo.
Strategic Leadership and Industry Expertise
As Chairman, Looney will guide the execution of the Evanston project and the company’s broader objectives, which include expanding across Arizona and Colorado.
“Bernard’s insights into energy systems and his leadership experience are critical as Prometheus continues to explore low-carbon energy solutions to support the future of AI,” said Trevor Neilson, President at Prometheus.
Prometheus’s projects align with the increasing investment in data centres, with an estimated £788 billion ($1 trillion) to be invested in US data centre infrastructure over the next five years. The Evanston site, covering 640 acres, is positioned to be one of the largest and most sustainable facilities of its kind in the United States.
“The Evanston project presents an opportunity to address the growing demand for data infrastructure in a way that balances innovation with sustainability. I look forward to working with the team at Prometheus to advance these goals,” said Looney.
Written by Rebecca Uffindell Wed 27 Nov 2024