Schneider Electric, a global energy technology leader, today unveils 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%), organizational 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 digitalization converge. Surging AI demand, driven predominantly by hyperscale cloud and data -center 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…