“Autonomous operations are not just the future of energy—they are becoming the foundation of smarter, more resilient industries worldwide.”
Global Energy: New study reveals rising investment as AI transforms efficiency, resilience, and industrial performance
A new Global Energy study has revealed a powerful and accelerating shift across the energy and chemicals sector, with companies significantly increasing investment in autonomous operations as artificial intelligence continues to reshape industrial performance worldwide.
The research, conducted by Schneider Electric, surveyed 400 senior executives across 12 countries and highlights a clear turning point for the industry. Nearly half of all operations are expected to become fully autonomous by 2030, with organisations already reporting substantial progress towards automation.
The findings point to a sector under growing pressure to modernise, driven by rising global energy demand, workforce challenges, and the need for greater operational efficiency. Executives increasingly view autonomy not as a future ambition, but as an immediate strategic priority, with more than 30% identifying it as critical within the next five years, rising further over the next decade.
At the heart of this transformation is artificial intelligence, which has emerged as the single most influential driver of autonomous operations, cited by nearly half of respondents. AI is being complemented by advances in cybersecurity, cloud and edge computing, digital twins, and software-defined automation, creating a powerful ecosystem that is redefining how global energy systems are managed.
Industry leaders emphasised that the transition is not optional. According to the study, delaying adoption could result in higher operating costs for 59% of organisations, alongside worsening talent shortages and declining competitiveness. These pressures are being intensified by macroeconomic factors, including inflation and a rapidly ageing workforce.
Speaking on the findings, Gwenaelle Avice Huet, Executive Vice President at Schneider Electric, indicated that autonomy is quickly becoming the dominant operating model across industries. She explained that organisations are already operating at around 70% autonomy, with ambitions to reach 80% by the end of the decade, adding that this evolution is focused on enhancing workforce capabilities rather than replacing them.
The study also highlights the broader technological convergence shaping the global energy sector, where electrification, automation, and digitalisation are coming together to create more intelligent and adaptive systems. This transformation is being fuelled by a sharp rise in global electricity demand, which is projected to nearly double to 1,000 terawatt-hours by 2030 due to the rapid expansion of AI, cloud computing, and data centres.
As global energy systems come under increasing strain, autonomous operations are emerging as a critical solution to maintain reliability, optimise performance, and ensure sustainability. AI-powered systems are enabling real-time decision-making, predictive maintenance, and self-optimising processes, allowing companies to operate more efficiently while reducing risks and downtime.
Despite the strong momentum, the transition is not without its challenges. The study identifies several key barriers to adoption, including high upfront investment costs, limitations of legacy infrastructure, organisational resistance, cybersecurity concerns, and regulatory uncertainty. These factors continue to create friction as companies navigate the path towards full autonomy.
Regional differences are also shaping the pace of adoption. The research indicates that Asia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are currently leading in autonomous operations maturity, while North America is expected to experience the most aggressive growth in the coming years, driven by increasing energy demand linked to large-scale data centre expansion.
Industry experts involved in the study noted that the shift towards autonomy is progressing faster than many had anticipated. They highlighted that software-defined automation and integrated digital platforms are enabling energy companies to transform entire operations, from production and distribution to monitoring and maintenance.
Real-world implementations are already demonstrating the potential of this transformation. Advanced facilities are leveraging AI-driven systems to predict operational changes, adapt to dynamic conditions, and optimise performance with minimal human intervention. These developments are setting the foundation for a new era of industrial efficiency and resilience.
The findings ultimately reinforce a clear message: the global energy sector is entering a phase where autonomous operations are no longer experimental but essential. As organisations continue to scale adoption, those that invest early are expected to gain a significant competitive advantage in an increasingly complex and data-driven environment.
