Schneider Electric recently unveiled new research revealing that nearly 80% of Middle East energy sector leaders report advanced operational readiness, highlighting the region’s strong ambition toward autonomous operations.
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 organizations claiming to operate at Level 4 of the ARC Autonomous Operations Maturity Model.
Momentum toward full autonomy in the Middle East is accelerating, with nearly half of energy organizations 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 prioritization ranked lowest, indicating a shift toward business-led innovation rather than compliance-driven transformation.
Sustainability
“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,” asserted Devan Pillay, President Heavy Industries, Schneider Electric.
“Schneider Electric’s research reinforces that organizations and regions embracing higher autonomy levels are better positioned to innovate, cut costs, and stay competitive. Crucially, the report signals a strategic shift: autonomous solutions that boost efficiency and reduce emissions are now a priority for one of the world’s most prominent energy hubs,” opined Gaurav Sharma, Independent Energy Market Analyst.
Transformation
Technology is central to this transformation, with energy leaders identifying advanced process control, robotics, and digital twins as the most critical enablers. Digital twins are transformative in offering real-time simulation and seamless integration across oil, gas, and LNG infrastructure, critical as the region positions itself as a global LNG hub.
Powered by automation, software and AI, these technologies are not only optimizing performance but also scaling autonomy across complex environments.
As a proof point of this momentum, Schneider Electric has partnered with ADNOC Refining to pilot AI-driven autonomous operations at its plant in Abu Dhabi. Harnessing Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure platform, it enables plant systems to operate with minimal human intervention.
By applying AI and advanced machine learning, the solution continuously monitors, controls, and optimizes processes, supporting operators with intelligent recommendations and evolving through continuous learning. The pilot is expected to deliver measurable benefits, including reduced energy consumption, lower emissions, and enhanced operational efficiency and performance.
“The convergence of electrification, automation, and digitalization is accelerating the shift toward autonomous operations across the Middle East and Africa,” noted Walid Sheta, Middle East & Africa President, Schneider Electric.
