Energy technology provider Schneider Electric has unveiled new research revealing that nearly 80% of Middle East energy sector leaders report advanced operational readiness.
The Middle East findings of Schneider Electric’s Autonomous Maturity research indicates a shift in autonomous readiness within the region’s energy sector, with many organisations claiming to operate at Level 4 of the ARC Autonomous Operations Maturity Model.
This level reflects selective autonomy, systems functioning independently in specific scenarios with limited human intervention.
This regional advancement stands in contrast to the global energy sector, which typically operates at Levels 1 or 2 – characterised by connected systems and visible data, yet still reliant on manual decision-making.
The report also stated that momentum toward full autonomy in the Middle East is accelerating, with nearly half of energy organisations aiming to reach Level 5 autonomy within the next five years.
In the UAE, this figure rises to 58% – the highest in the region.
Cost efficiency emerged as the top driver for autonomy adoption, with nearly half of respondents expecting operating costs to rise without it.
Safety and leadership prioritisation ranked lowest, indicating a shift toward business-led innovation rather than compliance-driven transformation.
President Heavy Industries at Schneider Electric, Devan Pillay, said: “Autonomous operations are increasingly seen as a strategic enabler across industries, driving gains in efficiency, scalability, and resilience.
“In the energy sector, where safety, reliability, and sustainability are critical, autonomous systems can monitor and respond in real time, reduce manual intervention in hazardous environments, and support smarter, data-driven decision-making.
“Crucially, they also support both onshore and remote operations, reducing offsite travel and improving work-life balance.”
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