Gunvor Group (Gunvor), a leading global independent energy trading company, will acquire from bp Gas Marketing Limited (bp) a 75% ownership stake in Bahía De Bizkaia Electricidad S.L. (“BBE”), a 785MW combined cycle power plant located in Bilbao, Spain.

The deal, which remains subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions, represents Gunvor’s first investment in a power generation asset, while expanding its commitment to developing Spain’s energy sector.

“We are truly excited at this landmark acquisition in a new asset class for our company,” said Shahb Richyal, Gunvor’s Global Head of Portfolio. “BBE also represents an important step as we continue to expand our presence in gas and power trading. We look forward to welcoming BBE’s team into Gunvor’s growing global family.”

Remarking on the deal, Andrés Guevara, Head of Country for bp in Spain, said “This decision reflects bp’s strategy of transforming from an International Oil Company (IOC) into an Integrated Energy Company (IEC) that aims to become net zero by 2050 or sooner. We remain committed to this transformation in Spain, a key market for the bp group, as we reorient our investments towards transition growth engines such as EV charging, bio energy, renewable power and hydrogen.”

Gunvor’s purchase of the stake in BBE builds upon its’ existing investments in two biofuel plants located in Huelva and Álava. Along with a marketing and trading office in Madrid, Gunvor today has more than 100 employees in the country. Gunvor intends to retain BBE’s current employees and management.

“Gunvor has an established track record of successfully integrating and aligning industrial assets with our core physical energy trading business,” said Aldo Della Valle, Head of European Gas & Power Trading. “With BBE, we hope to similarly align our trading in natural gas/LNG and power with the plant, so that it continues to contribute positively to Spain’s economy over the long-term, while upholding our energy transition priorities.”

As a key player in the global energy markets, Gunvor is working to ensure its place in a world that effectively reconciles affordable energy and economic development with the imperative to achieve net-zero emissions to combat climate change. Gunvor has committed to reducing our Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 40% by 2025, while also tracking and reporting our Scope 3 emissions. BBE will be integrated into Gunvor’s path to ensuring a sustainable and responsible energy future.

The sale is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2024, and over the coming months bp, BBE and Gunvor will work to deliver the safety and success of the transition process. The terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

About Gunvor Group

Gunvor Group is one of the world’s largest independent commodities trading houses by turnover, creating logistics solutions that safely and efficiently move physical energy from where it is sourced and stored to where it is demanded most. With strategic investments in energy infrastructure—refineries, pipelines, storage and terminals —Gunvor further generates sustainable value across the global supply chain for its customers. In 2022, Gunvor Group generated US $150 billion in revenue on 165 million metric tons of turnover. The Group’s main trading offices are in Geneva, Singapore, Houston, Stamford, Calgary, Dubai, and London, with a network of more than 20 representative and other trading offices around the globe.

About bp

bp (NYSE:BP) is one of the world's largest oil and gas companies, serving millions of customers every day in more than 80 countries, and employing nearly 85,000 people. BP's business segments are oil and gas exploration & production, and refining & marketing. In alternative energies, BP has low- and no-carbon wind and biofuels businesses. Through these activities, BP provides fuel for transportation; energy for heat and light; services for motorists; and petrochemicals products for plastics, textiles and food packaging. It has strong positions in many of the world's hydrocarbons basins and strong market positions in key economies.