AI plays a supporting role in energy IT projects

25.06.2025

Source: E & M powernews

Time, complexity and data quality are crucial for successful IT transformations in the DACH region. This is shown by a new industry study of 225 energy suppliers.

The "IT-Transformation Utilities 2025" study was conducted jointly by Dortmund-based IT service provider Adesso and Natuvion GmbH, a company specializing in IT migration based in Walldorf (Baden-Württemberg). A total of 225 decision-makers from energy supply companies in Germany, Austria and Switzerland were surveyed. The prerequisite for participation was a current or recently completed transformation project. A good 56% of the companies generate a gross annual turnover of between 150 and 349 million euros, around 25% between 350 and 999 million euros and just under 18% more than one billion euros.

The aim of the study was to provide practical insights into success factors and typical sources of error in IT transformations. The authors of the study want to create more transparency for planning and management.

Project durations increase with company size

According to the results, more than half of the utilities surveyed expect IT projects to run for more than twelve months. There is a clear correlation with the size of the company: while only 39.9% of companies in the 150 to 349 million euro turnover category plan for such a long period, the figure is 80.5% for companies with more than one billion euros.

According to the study, the biggest challenges in IT projects are complexity (28.2%), budget management (24.2%) and the analysis of existing IT structures (22.9%). Regional differences are striking: In Germany, the budget is the most pressing issue, in Austria it is project complexity. In Switzerland, there is a lack of internal and external specialists in particular.

AI is rarely used as the main driver

Artificial intelligence (AI) has so far only played a minor role in the transformation projects surveyed. Only 37.9% of respondents described it as a "key driver". Around 54 percent see AI as a supplementary benefit, while 7.9 percent do not use it at all. The authors of the study conclude that AI tends to be integrated into ongoing projects, but is rarely the trigger for transformation initiatives.

When it comes to the so-called cutover - the transition from project to productive operation - the survey results show a mixed picture. In Germany and Switzerland, most companies manage this transition within one to two days. In Austria, on the other hand, 62.5 percent need three days or more.

Most companies state that they have achieved their digital transformation goals: 87.7% confirm that their expectations have been met. However, there are differences according to hierarchical level. While board members and managing directors are more reserved in their assessment (79.6%), group and department heads are much more optimistic (94.4% and 97.8% respectively).

Data quality is named as the most important success factor. 64.2 percent of respondents emphasized its importance. In this context, Holger Strotmann, Managing Director of Natuvion, points out that without reliable data, modern IT technologies such as the cloud or AI will remain ineffective. Companies therefore need to expand their data strategy, governance and internal skills in a targeted manner.

Learning curve and operational stumbling blocks

A quarter of companies report deviations in business interruption that were not planned - for example, due to tightly calculated schedules or a lack of buffers. Inaccurate inventory analyses and budget deviations are also cited as recurring risks. Against this backdrop, the authors of the study recommend realistic, strategically sound project planning with a clear definition of objectives and sufficient resources.

These and other results of the "DACH Utilities Transformation Study 2025" can be requested from the Adesso website.

Author: Davina Spohn