Wednesday, April 1, 2026, 5:37 PM
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Schneider Electric Report: Autonomous Operations Become the New Standard for Energy and Chemical Sectors

Wednesday 1 April 2026 11:16
Schneider Electric Report: Autonomous Operations Become the New Standard for Energy and Chemical Sectors

A new study by Schneider Electric, covering 400 executives across 12 countries, reveals a decisive shift toward autonomous operations in the energy and chemical industries. The report indicates that 31.5% of leaders view operational autonomy as a top priority for the next five years, a figure expected to rise to 44% within a decade.

The study warns of significant risks for laggards, noting that delaying advanced automation could spike operating costs by 59% and worsen talent shortages by 52%. Gwenaelle Avice-Huet, Executive Vice President at Schneider Electric, noted that organizations currently operate at approximately 70% autonomy, with targets to reach 80% by 2030. Despite challenges like high initial costs (34%) and legacy system integration (30%), the report emphasizes that autonomous operations are essential for resilience in an increasingly competitive global market.