Abu Dhabi:Schneider Electric has revealed that 76 percent of energy industry leaders in the Middle East have increased their investment in autonomous technologies over the past year. This surge in investment reflects the importance placed on these systems for ensuring operational resilience and uninterrupted production within the sector.
According to Emirates News Agency, the research findings were released ahead of the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC 2026), scheduled to be held from November 2 to 5, 2026, at the ADNEC Centre in the UAE capital. The study highlights the role of autonomous operations, which require more than just automation; they necessitate intelligence capable of understanding operational dynamics, determining appropriate responses, and translating insights into action.
Energy industry leaders noted that adopting autonomous technologies has led to measurable improvements in operational performance, with enhanced productivity being the most frequently reported benefit, cited by 42 percent of the respondents. Other benefits include improved workforce safety, environmental performance, operational resilience, and asset reliability.
Devan Pillay, President of Heavy Industries at Schneider Electric, emphasized the growing connection between energy security and economic security. He stated that resilience is achieved through the integration of intelligence with execution, allowing operators to make faster decisions and actions when energy, operations, and intelligence function as a single system. Pillay also noted that the Middle East's long-term strategy in building such capabilities serves as a model for other regions.
The study further indicated a continued momentum in investment in autonomous technologies, with only 2 percent of organizations reporting a reduction in spending. All organizations utilizing autonomous systems, even minimally, plan to increase their investment in the coming year. Additionally, 72 percent of respondents believed that clear regulations have accelerated the adoption of these technologies in their markets.
Regarding future investments, 48 percent of respondents intend to allocate most of their investment to new projects in autonomous technologies over the next year, while 23 percent focus on upgrading existing facilities. More than a quarter of the respondents plan to split their investment equally between new projects and upgrades. Gaurav Sharma, an independent energy market analyst, commented on the regional trend, noting that operators are treating autonomy as a long-term investment.
