The global energy sector is undergoing one of the most significant transformations in its history. As organizations balance the demands of decarbonization, digitalization, and decentralization, IT modernization has emerged as the backbone of future competitiveness. Energy leaders are not only tasked with ensuring reliable and resilient infrastructure, but also with accelerating AI adoption, meeting ESG and sustainability goals, and modernizing legacy systems — all while keeping costs under control and cyber threats at bay.

Our research, based on a survey of 156 senior energy executives across Europe, North America, and the Middle East, reveals how companies are navigating this complex landscape. From cloud strategies and GenAI deployment to cybersecurity resilience and employee engagement, this study captures the opportunities and barriers shaping the industry’s digital future.

Modernization is not simply about updating technology — it’s about transforming how energy organizations operate, innovate, and deliver value across the entire value chain. The data shows that progress is already underway:

• Legacy systems getting modernized – 52% say their organizations have updated at least seven core IT systems, including CRM, energy trading, and analytics.
• AI investment on the rise – 74% of executives expect investments in AI-driven software development lifecycles to increase over the next three years.
• Employee engagement drives success – 91% report employees were actively involved in modernization programs, proving adoption depends on strong change management.
• Scalability as the benchmark – 50% judge modernization success on scalability and the ability to serve more users, signaling growth as the top outcome.

This report highlights where forward-thinking organizations are investing, how they are managing risks, and the steps needed to turn modernization into measurable business impact.