Shell: “Screw Wind, Let’s Stick with Oil” – Because Who Needs a Planet Anyway?

A Shell spokesperson declined to comment, probably because they were too busy counting money.

Posted by John Donovan: 24 July 2024

In a move that can only be described as a middle finger to Mother Earth, Shell Plc has decided to sell its Scottish offshore wind leases to, you guessed it, refocus on good ol’ oil and gas. Yes, the same company that flirted with the idea of renewable energy is now ditching those dreams faster than you can say “global warming.”

According to unnamed sources (because even they know this is absurd), Shell is looking to offload its share of a joint venture with Iberdrola SA’s Scottish Power. This venture was supposed to create up to 5 gigawatts of floating offshore wind power. But who needs renewable energy when you can keep raking in profits from fossil fuels, right?

A Shell spokesperson declined to comment, probably because they were too busy counting money. Scottish Power also declined to comment, perhaps out of sheer embarrassment.

This move highlights the UK government’s uphill battle to make floating offshore wind a thing, especially with costs rising faster than a helium balloon. Since Chief Executive Officer Wael Sawan took over last year, Shell has been all about delivering “ruthless” profits to shareholders. “Ruthless” is right—ruthless to the planet, ruthless to the future, and ruthless to any semblance of corporate responsibility.

Instead of investing in large-scale renewable power, Shell is now more interested in accessing low-carbon electricity for its own use and trading. Translation: let’s make some quick cash instead of doing something that takes years to pay off. Earlier this year, Bloomberg reported that this shift led to job cuts in Shell’s offshore wind division. Because nothing says “we care about the environment” like laying off the people trying to save it.

It’s a stark contrast to Sawan’s previous role where he was all about offshore wind power. Back then, he was the cheerleader for Shell’s renewable energy efforts. But now? It seems he’s traded in his pom-poms for a drill bit.

The offshore wind industry has been grappling with rising interest rates, supply chain issues, and inflation, making costs skyrocket. This is even more problematic for floating wind technology, which is still in its infancy. But hey, why invest in the future when you can keep exploiting the past.

Disclaimer: This platform operates as a non-commercial, advert-free, and subscription-free space. We do not accept donations and aim to provide information to our readers free of charge. Our content, including images and the Sheldon chatbot feature, incorporates information generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and various other technological means. Additionally, we may draw from sources such as Wikipedia and other published materials. It’s important to note that the content presented on this platform may include satirical adaptations derived from previously published sources. While we strive to maintain factual accuracy, we infuse elements of satire to engage and entertain our audience. Should any individual or entity find factual inaccuracies in our content, we encourage them to notify us promptly for rectification. We value accuracy and aim to address any discrepancies swiftly. Content may include gossip, rumours or exaggeration. Readers are therefore advised to verify all information for accuracy and completeness independently. Any actions taken based on the content provided on our platform are at your own risk.

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, shellnews.net, and shellwikipedia.com, are owned by John Donovan - more information here. There is also a Wikipedia segment.