Energy Intelligence announced that Total S.A. is the winner of its 2016 Award for Leadership in New Energy. The award recognizes a company that is at the forefront of the energy transition from traditional fossil fuels to a lower-carbon energy system. Total has emerged as a leader among oil majors in adapting its business model to the climate challenge. The company has made significant investments in alternative energy, placed an increasing emphasis on natural gas and, more broadly, integrated climate change into its strategy. The award will be presented to Total during the 37th Annual Oil & Money conference in London in October.

 The award's selection process began with the Energy Intelligence editorial team compiling a list of nominees that exemplify excellence in transitioning from traditional fossil fuels to a lower-carbon energy system. The winner was then chosen by a selection committee comprising independent experts in new energy from the business world complemented by senior energy executives and government officials who act as advisers to Energy Intelligence.

"Total stands out from its peers, due to its commitment to a cleaner energy future," said Lauren Craft, editor of EI New Energy. "It has gone far beyond words, by making substantial investments, setting ambitious targets, and placing climate at the heart of its corporate strategy."

Total recently created a new integrated gas, renewables and power segment as part of its bid to "become the responsible energy major." In 2011, Total became a global leader in solar energy with its purchase of a majority stake in SunPower, the vertically integrated US solar company. Total acquired in 2016 French battery-maker Saft, which should allow for in-house production of batteries for intermittent solar photovoltaic units, positioning its solar business to become even more integrated. Earlier this month, Total bought Belgian gas distribution and renewable power provider Lampiris. The venture capital arm of Total has made a range of other investments in areas such as energy storage, biofuels, fuel cells, off-grid solar and wind.

Total, whose ambition is to remain among the top 3 profitable major oil and gas companies, is diversifying its hydrocarbon business and aims to produce over 60% natural gas by 2035. The company also aims to have low-carbon business make up 20% of its portfolio within the same timeframe. As a producer and provider of electricity, Total envisions being an "industrial player" in the electricity market, which Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Patrick Pouyanné calls "the energy of the 21st century." It has pledged to use the International Energy Agency's 2 °C scenario as its "handbook."

Former winners of the award:

• 2015: Statoil, presented to Senior Vice President for Wind & CSS, Stephen Bull
• 2014: Dong Energy, presented to Vice President of Corporate Strategy & Stakeholder Relations, Jakob Askou Bøss
• 2013: Iberdrola, presented to Renewables Chief, Xabier Viteri Solaun
• 2012: Masdar, presented to Chief Executive, H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al-Jaber 

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