It’s almost as if these employees think that transitioning to renewable energy is more important than, say, maximizing profits from fossil fuels. How quaint!

Posted by John Donovan 27 Sept 2023

In a mind-boggling display of naivety, some Shell employees have had the audacity to openly express concerns about the company’s energy transition strategy. They’ve even had the nerve to urge CEO Wael Sawan not to retreat from renewables! Can you believe it?

In an open letter that probably sent shockwaves through the hallowed halls of Shell’s corporate headquarters, two employees from Shell’s low-carbon division dared to share their thoughts. The letter made its way onto the company’s intranet, sparking what we can only imagine was a lively debate among Shell executives about whether or not the Earth is flat.

The letter began by stating that it had always been Shell’s ambition to be a leader in the energy transition, but then it took a surprising turn by expressing concerns about the direction the company is taking. It’s almost as if these employees think that transitioning to renewable energy is more important than, say, maximizing profits from fossil fuels. How quaint!

Shell’s green energy plans have been a source of fascination ever since Sawan took the reins at the start of the year. Under his leadership, the company did the unthinkable and decided to refocus on its core hydrocarbons operations. Yes, you read that correctly. Hydrocarbons, the fuel of the past, have made a comeback.

But it doesn’t stop there. Shell has also been disposing of various power sector interests this year and is even rumored to be looking to sell Sonnen, a German battery storage group. Clearly, the company has no interest in the renewable energy sector anymore, right?

Renewable executives, including Thomas Brostrom, a former high-flyer at Orsted who was brought in to lead Shell’s renewables charge, have also left the company. But who needs seasoned professionals with expertise in renewable energy when you can have hydrocarbons, right?

Sawan himself couldn’t resist diving into this fascinating debate over the letter. He reportedly stated that “there are no easy answers and no shortage of dilemmas or challenges” when it comes to the energy transition. Who would’ve thought?

Shell, not one to be outdone in the art of corporate double-speak, told Reuters that they appreciate their staff’s passion for both the energy transition and Shell. They even hope that the optics of recent announcements are deceiving and that Shell will somehow miraculously continue to be a leader in the energy transition while cozying up to hydrocarbons.

The letter was signed by two daring individuals, Lisette de Heiden and Wouter Drinkwaard, who both work in Shell’s low-carbon division. They chose not to respond to a request for comment, probably because they were too busy shaking their heads in disbelief at the absurdity of it all.

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