Automation is reshaping operations and changing the nature of work across the energy industry, according to recent analysis by Power Technology‘s parent company GlobalData.
In addition, the technology itself is evolving, with robotic process automation (RPA) having evolved into intelligent automation, combining AI and other technologies with RPA to automate more complex business processes. In its overarching Future of Work report, GlobalData states that this progression is crucial in understanding how automation technologies can evolve to meet increasingly complex business needs.
The report says: “With workforces worldwide ageing, robots will perform more and more tasks in warehouses, hospitals and retail stores, leading to a rebalancing of work between humans and machines. At the same time, the growing power of software has brought automation to the office, with automation of specific business processes already replacing aspects of existing jobs.”
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In the most recent edition of its Future of Work report, released in late 2024, GlobalData outlines automation as one of the five segments of its future of work framework, indicating that it will play a major role in the evolution of the workplace. Subsequent sector-specific reports throughout 2025 have since illustrated in greater detail the extent to which this will be the case – and, indeed, to which industries are already being reshaped by automation.
Automation in power, oil and gas
Speaking to both the inter- and intra-sector impacts, the Future of Work in Power report states: “Automation, including robotics, drones, 3D printing and intelligent automation, is a critical investment for all industry segments except end-users, where it is irrelevant. Automation technologies will help solve a range of industry challenges, most notably improving productivity and efficiency by handling operations and maintenance tasks. Power companies that fail to invest in automation will get left behind.”
Of the role that the technology will play for the power sector in particular, the report details that autonomous robots and drones will manage complex, hazardous and repetitive operations, such as servicing wind farms.
Similar use cases are indicated for the related oil and gas sector, with the Future of Work in Oil & Gas report stating that automation “is key for health and safety.”
The report says: “Integrating automation technologies can significantly improve health and safety in a notoriously hazardous industry. In remote and offshore locations, robotics and drones can mitigate risks associated with heights, accessing equipment and exposure to toxic chemicals and gases.
“Fully automated systems operate continuously, leading to increased productivity and cost savings. Automation enables real-time monitoring and control from a centralised location, supporting remote asset management. This not only improves operational visibility but also facilitates prompt decision-making and intervention in case of emergencies or anomalies.”
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