From Opinions Desk

Schneider Electric, an energy technology company, has unveiled new research highlighting a powerful combination of pressures pushing autonomous operations to the top of the agenda for the energies and chemicals sector.

The study of 400 senior energy and chemicals executives across 12 countries shows a sharp rise in urgency around autonomy. A third of executives (31.5%) say advancing autonomy is a ‘critical’ priority in the next five years, rising to 44% over a ten-year horizon. Fewer than 5% globally view it as a low priority.

Leaders cite strong commercial pressures. They warn that delaying adoption risks higher operating costs (59%), worsening talent shortages (52%), and declining competitiveness (48%). Yet adoption is not without obstacles. Key barriers include high upfront costs (34%), legacy systems (30%), organisational resistance (27%), cybersecurity concerns (26%), and regulatory uncertainty (25%).

Schneider Electric’s Global Autonomous Maturity Report shows the sector at a critical point of transformation as electrification, automation and digitisation converge. Surging AI demand, driven predominantly by hyperscale Cloud and datacentre growth, is placing unprecedented pressure on global energy systems. Electricity demand is projected to nearly double to 1,000 TWh by 2030, intensifying the need for flexible, efficient and resilient operations.

Within this emerging AI energy nexus, 49% of executives identify AI as the single biggest enabler of autonomous acceleration, followed by cybersecurity advancements, Cloud and edge computing, digital twins, advanced process control and open, software-defined automation.

“Globally, organisations already report operating at 70% autonomy, with plans to hit 80% by 2030,” said Gwenaelle Avice Huet, Executive VP, Schneider Electric. “Autonomy is rapidly becoming the new operating model of industry. As AI advances and energy systems come under growing pressure, autonomous operations are proving essential for resilience and competitiveness. And this shift isn’t about replacing people, it’s about empowering them to focus on higher value work, strengthening safety and elevating skills. Those who scale now will shape the next era of industrial performance.”