Schneider Electric study highlights surge in autonomous operations for energy and chemicals
Schneider Electric, a global energy technology company, has released research highlighting a growing emphasis on autonomous operations in the energy and chemicals sector. The Global Autonomous Maturity Report surveyed 400 senior executives across 12 countries, revealing that 31.5% consider advancing autonomy a critical priority over the next five years, rising to 44% over a ten-year horizon.
Leaders cited commercial pressures as key drivers. The study found that delaying autonomy could lead to higher operating costs (59%), worsening talent shortages (52%), and reduced competitiveness (48%). Adoption, however, faces obstacles, including high upfront costs (34%), legacy systems (30%), organizational resistance (27%), cybersecurity concerns (26%), and regulatory uncertainty (25%).
The report also identified technological enablers accelerating autonomous operations. Nearly half of executives (49%) said artificial intelligence is the single largest driver, followed by advancements in cybersecurity, cloud and edge computing, digital twins, advanced process control, and open, software-defined automation. Electricity demand, projected to nearly double to 1,000 terawatt-hours by 2030, is intensifying the need for flexible, efficient, and resilient operations.
Organizations already report operating at 70% autonomy, aiming for 80% by 2030, according to Gwenaelle Avice-Huet, Executive Vice President at Schneider Electric. Avice-Huet added that autonomy is becoming the new operating model, empowering employees to focus on higher-value tasks while strengthening safety and skills.
Industry analysts note that adoption is more advanced than expected, with software-defined automation driving the next phase of energy innovation. Regional variations are evident: the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Asia currently lead in maturity, North America is expected to accelerate fastest, and Europe shows steady but slower adoption.
Schneider Electric and AVEVA are actively supporting real-world autonomous deployments. At Shell’s Scotford Refinery in Canada, open, software-defined automation is enabling more flexible operations. At European Energy’s Kassø Power-to-X facility, AI-supported systems facilitate self-optimizing clean-fuel production. The research, conducted with Censuswide and Development Economics, combines executive insights, desk research, and input from industry stakeholders.
The findings underscore the sector’s critical point of transformation, as electrification, automation, and digitalization converge to drive resilient, competitive, and AI-enabled autonomous operations.