Alex Grant is the Country Manager for Equinor in UK.
Q: What has Equinor’s presence meant for the country where you are country manager?
A: Equinor was established 50 years ago with the UK as one of its first and most important customers and partners. We grew as a company while working with some of the UK’s industrial champions. We now have our own operation in the UK, where we supply around 30% of the country’s oil and gas, but also with large operations in upstream, hydrogen, batteries, and wind, the UK recognises us as one of if not the most important energy players in the country.
Q: In what way does your job contribute to the green shift?
A: We have a well-established and mature upstream business, and we are developing the world’s largest wind farm, Dogger Bank. We also operate floating wind offshore Scotland and are at the forefront of the UK’s efforts to create a hydrogen economy through several projects. This includes – among other things – our partnership in the East Coast Cluster.
Q: What do you think about the plan to become climate neutral by 2050? What do you think is the most important thing going forward, and how can we apply what we have learned so far into Britain’s future?
A: The UK shares Equinor’s pragmatic approach to decarbonisation. We are looking to decarbonise as efficiently and with as low a cost as possible. What’s more, they have enshrined their net zero targets for 2050 into law. While there certainly are some short-term political and fiscal challenges, we hope and expect that the UK will provide a long-term, stable and predictable framework for us to invest in helping both the country and Equinor meet our shared climate goals.
Q: Cooperation is crucial to achieving ambitious climate goals. In what way is this important in your job?
A: Cooperation and collaboration are key in all parts of our business and all countries. But with the new value chains and energy systems that need to be built, it is arguably even more so.
