**Navigating the Energy Transition: How Oil and Gas Companies are Securing Clean Energy**
The U.S. electric grid is facing unprecedented demands, driven by increasing commercial electricity consumption in states like Texas, Oklahoma, and North Dakota. This surge in demand has oil and gas companies scrambling to meet their energy needs, pointing to a pressing requirement for clean energy solutions. According to a recent survey conducted by Endeavor Business Intelligence on behalf of NextEra Energy, 88% of oil and gas industry leaders are either currently electrifying or evaluating the electrification of their operations. This shift towards lower-cost and lower-emission operations is a step towards achieving emissions reduction goals, but it also reveals the intensity of the competition for clean energy resources.
### The Struggle for Clean Energy
The competition for electricity has become a major challenge for oil and gas operators. At least half of the survey participants reported that their companies are struggling to secure the necessary energy in regions such as the Mountain West, Gulf Coast, and New England. The Upper Midwest also witnessed significant challenges, with 44% of operators facing difficulties in states like North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska. If the grid cannot keep up with this rising demand, oil and gas leaders will need to make strategic choices:
1. **Delay Development**: Slow down development plans until the grid can meet the growing demand.
2. **Compete for Resources**: Intensify competition against other oil and gas companies and industries for power from limited new generation projects.
3. **Develop Own Solutions**: Invest in on-site or off-site renewable energy solutions, microgrids, and battery energy storage systems.
### Pursuing Clean Energy Options
Despite the challenges, oil and gas companies are actively exploring various clean energy options:
1. **Grid Power with Renewable Energy Credits**: 30% of the survey participants use grid electricity supplied with offsetting renewable energy credits, while another 54% are actively pursuing these options. However, this solution depends on the availability of grid