Total SA receives Energy Intelligence Award for contribution to cleaner future

Energy Intelligence, an industry analyst, said the award recognises a company that is at the forefront of the energy transition from traditional fossil fuels to a lower-carbon energy system. 

The award will be presented to Total during the 37th Annual Oil & Money conference in London in October.

“Total stands out from its peers, due to its commitment to a cleaner energy future,” said Lauren Craft, editor of EI New Energy. “It has gone far beyond words, by making substantial investments, setting ambitious targets, and placing climate at the heart of its corporate strategy."

The company added, "Total has emerged as a leader among oil majors in adapting its business model to the climate challenge. The company has made significant investments in alternative energy, placed an increasing emphasis on natural gas and, more broadly, integrated climate change into its strategy."

Total recently created a new integrated gas, renewables and power segment as part of its bid to "become the responsible energy major.”

Earlier this year Total acquired in 2016 French battery-maker Saft, which should allow for in-house production of batteries for intermittent solar photovoltaic units, positioning its solar business to become even more integrated. Earlier this month, Total bought Belgian gas distribution and renewable power provider Lampiris. 

The company, whose ambition is to remain among the top three profitable major oil and gas companies, is diversifying its hydrocarbon business and aims to produce over 60 per cent natural gas by 2035. The company also aims to have low-carbon business make up 20 per cent of its portfolio within the same timeframe. As a producer and provider of electricity, Total envisions being an "industrial player" in the electricity market, which chairman and CEO Patrick Pouyanné calls "the energy of the 21st century." It has pledged to use the International Energy Agency's 2°C scenario as its "handbook."