Energy Sector Races Towards 50% Full Automation by 2030

Study shows AI and autonomous operations becoming critical priorities as industry faces inflation, talent shortages, and energy demand pressures

Mar. 27, 2026 at 9:22am

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A new global study of 400 senior energy and chemicals executives across 12 countries signals a tipping point in the industry's adoption of autonomous operations. The sector is racing towards almost 50% full automation by 2030, with close to a third of operations already fully autonomous today. Leaders cite strong commercial pressures, warning that delaying adoption risks higher operating costs, worsening talent shortages, and declining competitiveness.

Why it matters

The energy and chemicals sector is undergoing a major transformation as electrification, automation, and digitalization converge. Surging AI demand, driven predominantly by hyperscale cloud and data center growth, is placing unprecedented pressure on global energy systems. Autonomous operations are proving essential for resilience and competitiveness in this new landscape, empowering workers to focus on higher-value tasks while strengthening safety and elevating skills.

The details

The study found that 31.5% of executives say advancing autonomy is a 'critical' priority in the next five years, rising to 44% over a ten-year horizon. Key barriers to adoption include high upfront costs, legacy systems, organizational resistance, cybersecurity concerns, and regulatory uncertainty. However, 49% of executives identify AI as the single biggest enabler of autonomous acceleration, followed by advancements in cybersecurity, cloud/edge computing, digital twins, and open, software-defined automation.

  • The study was commissioned in partnership with Censuswide and Development Economics, with insights from Independent Energy Market Analyst Gaurav Sharma.
  • The research was published on March 27, 2026.

The players

Schneider Electric

A global energy technology leader that commissioned the study and is at the forefront of supporting customers in deploying autonomous operations.

Gwenaelle Avice Huet

Executive Vice President at Schneider Electric, who commented on the industry's shift towards autonomous operations.

Gaurav Sharma

An Independent Energy Market Analyst who contributed insights to the research.

Devan Pillay

President of Schneider's Heavy Industries Segment, who discussed Schneider's work with customers on real-world autonomous operations deployments.

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What they’re saying

“Globally, organizations already report operating at 70% autonomy, with plans to hit 80% by 2030. 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.”

— Gwenaelle Avice Huet, Executive Vice President, Schneider Electric

“The report finds the adoption of autonomy in the sector to be more advanced than expected, with open, software-defined automation essentially leading the next phase of energy innovation. In a sector where reliability, safety, and carbon reduction are now non‑negotiable, these technologies are emerging as the most effective way for operators to deliver 'more with less' and run more resilient and competitive operations.”

— Gaurav Sharma, Independent Energy Market Analyst

“Autonomous operations are redefining how energy and chemicals companies run their entire facilities, and Schneider Electric and AVEVA are at the forefront of that shift, supporting customers such as Shell, European Energy, ADNOC and Baosteel on real‑world deployments.”

— Devan Pillay, President of Schneider's Heavy Industries Segment

What’s next

The study highlights that North America is set for the fastest acceleration in autonomous operations adoption over the next five years, powered by its scale in energy production and consumption, and its rapidly expanding data‑center footprint. Europe maintains steady progress but faces the slowest adoption trajectory.

The takeaway

The energy and chemicals sector is undergoing a major transformation, with autonomous operations rapidly becoming the new operating model. Companies that embrace this shift and scale up their autonomous capabilities will be better positioned to manage the pressures of inflation, talent shortages, and surging energy demand, while also enhancing safety, resilience, and sustainability.