Alex Beard goes green

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

Alex Beard is changing his sector of choice.
According to Reuters, the man who made his fortune in oil is looking to build battery sites in the UK.
In an interview, he states that the storage capacity would be at least 500 MW.

Alex Beard invests in energy storage

The businessman began his career in 1990 with BP.
In 1995, he joined Glencore, where he became head of the oil division in 2007.
At the height of his career, the “King of Oil” accounted for almost 7% of the world’s hydrocarbon trade.
Today, the billionaire is going green.
Having left Glencore in 2019, the businessman now wants to embark on a second career focused on decarbonized energies.
With his investment fund Aptogen Capital, he intends to respond to the UK’s energy crisis.

The storage solution

According to the businessman, storage batteries can respond to the volatility of renewable energies by conserving surplus energy.
This surplus would then be redistributed according to demand, using algorithmic software.
To support his project, Alex Beard is counting on his sponsorship from Energy Transition Partners.
This company has a capital of 175 million euros to invest in renewable energies, including battery storage.
The former king of oil is thus resolutely focused on the energy transition.

California-based battery manufacturer South 8 Technologies has secured $11mn to boost production of its LiGas cells, targeting military and space applications under extreme conditions.
The American oil group now plans to invest $20 billion in low-emission technologies by 2030, down from the $30 billion initially announced one year earlier.
Bitzero Holdings launches a new 70 MW expansion phase in Namsskogan, Norway, targeting a total capacity of 110 MW and an upgrade of its high-performance computing capabilities.
BHP sells a minority stake in its Western Australia Iron Ore power network to Global Infrastructure Partners for $2 billion, retaining strategic control while securing long-term funding for its mining expansion.
Remixpoint and Nippon Chikudenchi have formalised a partnership to develop seven 2MW/8MWh BESS facilities by October 2026 through a newly established joint venture.
UK-based Ray Systems has selected Beam Global to supply tailored battery systems for its new autonomous underwater drones, aiming to extend mission duration without compromising stealth or manoeuvrability.
Sungrow has started construction on a 200 MW/400 MWh battery storage system for ENGIE, aimed at strengthening grid stability in a state heavily reliant on renewable energy.
Blue Current secures over $80mn in funding led by Amazon to industrialise its silicon solid-state batteries for large-scale mobility and stationary applications.
More than $80bn in overseas cleantech investments in one year reveal China’s strategy to export solar and battery overcapacity while bypassing Western trade barriers by establishing industrial operations across the Global South.
AGL has begun construction of a 500 MW battery storage system in Tomago, a project valued at AUD800mn ($530.8mn), in the Hunter region, with commissioning expected in 2027.
Real estate group JALCO Holdings diversifies its activities by investing in a 2 MW/8.1 MWh battery energy storage system developed by Taoke Energy in Narita, Chiba Prefecture.
Exxaro increases its energy portfolio in South Africa with new wind and solar assets to secure power supply for operations and expand its role in independent generation.
BKW is conducting feasibility studies on four sites to assess the profitability and development conditions for large-scale battery storage installations in Switzerland.
A 300 MW/1,200 MWh electrochemical energy storage facility has been commissioned in China, marking a major milestone in the country’s largest publicly funded energy infrastructure project.
Plenitude acquires full ownership of ACEA Energia for up to €587mn, adding 1.4 million customers to its portfolio and reaching its European commercial target ahead of schedule.
ABB invests in UK-based start-up OctaiPipe to strengthen its smart energy-saving solutions for data centre infrastructure.
Sustainable Holdings is developing a battery storage facility in Matsusaka, with operations scheduled to begin in June 2026 on Japan’s electricity market.
California-based Korbel Winery is now equipped with an integrated energy storage and intelligent control system, installed by Energy Toolbase and BPi, to optimise usage and address local grid constraints.
The 200 MW Greenwater battery storage project enters execution phase following a $400mn bank financing, marking a strategic milestone in the Pacific Northwest’s energy infrastructure development.
Enbridge has announced a 3% increase in its annual dividend for 2026 and expects steady revenue growth, with up to CAD20.8bn ($15.2bn) in EBITDA and CAD10bn ($7.3bn) in capital investment.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.