Former BP CEO Takes Over Wyoming Data Center Developer

Former BP CEO Takes Over Wyoming Data Center Developer

Source: Fortune

Summary

Former BP CEO Bernard Looney is taking over as CEO of Prometheus Hyperscale, a Wyoming-based company developing data center campuses in Wyoming and Texas. Looney resigned from BP in 2023 amid controversy and an investigation into personal relationships. BP has since struggled financially, cutting costs and pivoting away from renewables. Looney became non-executive chair of Prometheus in late 2024 and takes over as CEO from founder Trenton Thornock. Prometheus is focused on speed of construction and cleaner energy, with two flagship projects in Wyoming expected to cost over $30 billion.


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The numbers tell one story.

BP’s financial struggles and pivot away from renewables have been well-documented. Looney’s sudden resignation and investigation into personal relationships raised eyebrows. Now, he’s taking the reins at Prometheus, a company focused on data center development with a emphasis on speed and cleaner energy. The company’s flagship projects in Wyoming are expected to cost over $30 billion. Looney’s statement about building infrastructure responsibly sounds familiar. As the company pushes forward with its ambitious plans, it’s clear that Looney is trying to leave his past controversies behind.

The strategy enters a familiar phase.

Prometheus is backed by In-Q-Tel, the venture capital fund backed by the CIA and the US intelligence community. The company has partnerships with Conduit Power, Engie, and Oklo, among others. With Looney at the helm, Prometheus is poised to make a big impact in the data center development space. But as the company grows, it will be interesting to see how Looney’s past controversies affect its reputation.


Author: Evan Null