Former BP CEO Bernard Looney Takes Helm at Prometheus Hyperscale

Prometheus Hyperscale, a developer of sustainable data center infrastructure, has appointed former BP CEO Bernard Looney as its chairman. Looney, who departed BP in September 2023, joins the company as it pursues ambitious plans to build a 1GW hyperscale data center campus in Wyoming.

Looney explained on LinkedIn that he was drawn to Prometheus by the dual challenges data centers face in the AI era: rapidly increasing power demands and the rising emissions associated with more powerful servers. He expressed enthusiasm for addressing these issues, describing the role as an opportunity to explore how AI can be harnessed to drive progress while achieving net positive environmental outcomes.

Looney spent his entire career at BP, starting as a drilling engineer and eventually becoming CEO in February 2020. His tenure ended abruptly when he resigned following the revelation that he had failed to disclose details of past relationships with colleagues to BP’s board. The company subsequently dismissed him for “serious misconduct,” denying him pay and share awards valued at £32 million ($40 million).

During his time as CEO, Looney initially committed BP to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. However, he later scaled back these goals, increasing the company’s investment in fossil fuel production. Under his leadership, BP’s Scope 3 emissions—the emissions from burning its oil and gas—rose to 315 million metric tons in 2023, contributing significantly to global climate change.

Prometheus Hyperscale’s Vision for Sustainability

Previously known as Wyoming Hyperscale, Prometheus is developing a data center campus on 58 acres of land at Aspen Mountain, a remote location southeast of Evanston, Wyoming. The project is spearheaded by landowner Trenton Thornock and was rebranded in September 2024 when the company appointed Trevor Neilson as president.

At the same time, Prometheus announced an increase in the projected capacity of the Wyoming site to 1GW and revealed plans to develop additional data centers in Arizona and Colorado. Prometheus has described its Aspen Mountain facility as “the most advanced sustainable data center in the United States.” It plans to implement liquid cooling technology, repurpose waste heat for use on a nearby farm, and potentially use underground reservoirs for additional cooling solutions.

In May 2024, Prometheus secured a deal to purchase 100MW of energy from Oklo, a startup specializing in small nuclear reactors. This move underscores the company’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions for its operations.

Trevor Neilson noted that he had first met Looney when BP invested in one of his previous ventures and shared his excitement about collaborating with the former oil executive, highlighting the valuable experience Looney brings to Prometheus.

Have you read?
Best CEOs.
Best Companies.
Richest People (Billionaire).
Richest Women (Billionaire).
Richest in Each Country (Billionaire).