LONDON: British energy major BP, aiming to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, on Thursday entered the offshore wind market in a US tie-up with Norwegian peer Equinor. Under the deal, BP will pay Equinor $1.1 billion (933 million euros) for interests in wind developments off the coasts of New York and Massachusetts, while pursuing other US projects together.

Until now, BP has only operated onshore wind assets, mostly in the United States.

"BP and Equinor today announced the formation of a new strategic partnership to develop offshore wind projects in the US," the pair said in a statement.

"This includes the development of existing offshore wind leases on the US East coast and jointly pursuing further opportunities for offshore wind in the US."

BP had last month set out its plans for a greener future for the London-listed energy titan, whose finances and reputation were severely damaged by the Deepwater Horizon oil rig disaster in 2010.

"This is an important early step in the delivery of our new strategy and our pivot to truly becoming an integrated energy company," added chief executive Bernard Looney in Thursday's statement.