Lightsource bp Advances Renewable Energy Growth While Supporting Ecosystems, Soil Health and Community-Led Environmental Action

Lightsource bp Advances Renewable Energy Growth While Supporting Ecosystems, Soil Health and Community-Led Environmental Action

(IN BRIEF) Lightsource bp is marking the 56th annual Earth Day by highlighting its responsible development approach and the role of everyday environmental action in supporting the energy transition. Under the theme Our Power, Our Planet, the company is drawing attention to both its employee-led Earth Day activities and its broader work in developing renewable energy and storage projects across APAC, EMEA and the Americas. Lightsource bp has developed more than 11.9GW of assets globally, and in 2024 its renewable energy portfolio generated over 4.4TWh of electricity, helping avoid an estimated nearly 2,640,000 tCO2e in emissions linked to global energy generation. The company’s responsible development strategy focuses on biodiversity, multi-land use, local economic benefits and a more sustainable supply chain. Examples include the 585MWp Goulburn River solar farm in Australia, where the company designed the project to avoid high-value ecosystems, established a 1,200-hectare biodiversity offset, supported conservation of the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater and planted up to 8,000 native trees. In the United States, Lightsource bp is also using solar grazing, with around 20,000 sheep grazing across 20 solar sites in eight states, including the Nittany Solar project in Pennsylvania, where research has shown potential benefits for soil health and vegetation quality. Across its global offices, teams are celebrating Earth Day through activities such as cleanups, cycling and walking challenges, recycling initiatives, composting workshops, nature walks and exhibitions focused on protecting nature.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 22-May-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Lightsource bp is marking the 56th annual celebration of Earth Day by reinforcing its commitment to responsible development and everyday environmental action. This year’s Earth Day theme, Our Power, Our Planet, calls on individuals, communities and organizations to contribute to environmental progress through practical and consistent action.

For Lightsource bp, the theme reflects both its day-to-day work and the activities being carried out by its teams around the world. Employees are recognizing Earth Day through community cleanups, walk and bike commute challenges, waste reduction workshops, nature walks, textile recycling initiatives and other outdoor activities. At the same time, the company continues to focus on safely delivering large-scale onshore renewable energy and storage projects designed to support partners, communities, people and the planet.

Lightsource bp has developed more than 11.9GW of assets across APAC, EMEA and the Americas. In 2024, its global renewable energy portfolio generated more than 4.4TWh of electricity, helping avoid an estimated nearly 2,640,000 tCO2e in emissions associated with global energy generation. Through its responsible development approach, the company aims to show that large-scale renewable energy projects and environmental stewardship can be advanced together.

Responsible development is central to Lightsource bp’s operating model. The company works to deliver renewable energy and storage solutions while seeking to enhance ecosystems, support local economies and advance a more sustainable supply chain. Its approach includes a focus on biodiversity, multi-land use, low-carbon energy generation and practical measures that create benefits beyond electricity production.

One example is the Goulburn River solar farm in New South Wales, Australia, the company’s largest project globally to date. At the 585MWp project, Lightsource bp designed the solar farm layout to avoid high-value ecosystems and established a 1,200-hectare biodiversity offset on land next to the site. The company also launched a research study into the resilience of native grasslands beneath solar panels, supported conservation of the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater, planted up to 8,000 native trees, and funded conservation actions across an additional 800 hectares of land.

Lightsource bp is also applying multi-land use practices through solar grazing in the United States, a form of agrivoltaics that combines renewable energy infrastructure with agricultural activity. During peak season, an estimated 20,000 sheep graze across 20 solar sites in eight states. With careful planning and management, solar grazing can help maintain vegetation, support soil health and encourage biodiversity on solar project land.

At the Nittany Solar project in Pennsylvania, which supplies energy to Penn State University, sheep graze beneath the solar panels as part of the site’s land management approach. A two-year study found that solar grazing can contribute to healthier soil. The study also showed that vegetation grown beneath solar panels had significantly higher protein content and better digestibility than vegetation from open spaces on the same sites, potentially due to the shading provided by the panels.

Lightsource bp teams are also celebrating Earth Day through a variety of local initiatives. In the United States, employees are participating in nature walks, volunteer activities and walk or bike commute challenges. In Poland, team members are taking part in a Nature through your lens photo contest, with tree planting kits and recycling bags offered as prizes. In Spain, employees are learning more about composting and recycling from a local organization, while in France colleagues are being encouraged to walk or cycle to the office.

In the United Kingdom, Lightsource bp is promoting a Walk and Pick litter-picking event. In Singapore, teams are taking part in a plant-based grab-and-go breakfast and a textile recycling initiative. In Germany, employees are exploring exhibitions focused on how future needs can be met while protecting nature.

Lightsource bp views Earth Day as a reminder that environmental progress should be embedded in daily decisions and long-term business practices. From employee-led activities to the responsible development of renewable energy and storage projects, the company continues to promote environmental stewardship as an ongoing commitment rather than a once-a-year observance.

Through its responsible development approach, Lightsource bp aims to deliver benefits for partners, people and the planet while supporting the broader transition to low-carbon energy systems.

Media Contact:

press@lightsourcebp.com

SOURCE: Lightsource bp