Energy Infrastructure Index: Drones Take Center Stage in Energy Inspections

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North America’s energy executives are sounding the alarm. According to the new Energy Infrastructure Index 2025 from SwissDrones, the grid is under severe strain from aging assets, extreme weather, and increasing energy demand. Many executives surveyed believe it’s only a matter of time before a major preventable incident occurs.

At the heart of the industry’s response? A rapid shift toward unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones, and automated inspection technologies.

Cracks in the Current System

The report highlights executives’ worry about the shape of energy infrastructure:

  • 87% of executives surveyed predict dramatic increases in infrastructure-related service interruptions within five years.

  • 92% expect decaying infrastructure to drive consumer price hikes over the next decade.

  • 96% worry about their company’s assets every time a major storm hits.

Labor shortages compound the problem. 69% say they can’t inspect assets frequently enough, and 93% admit their biggest challenge is thorough inspections that can catch issues early and accurately. Even more concerning, 61% still rely solely on human labor for inspections—a method executives acknowledge is falling short.

Data Gaps and Environmental Pressures

Accurate inspection data is essential for preventing breakdowns, yet energy companies are plagued by outdated, incomplete, or overwhelming datasets:

  • 48% say their data is out of date

  • 38% say it isn’t detailed enough

  • 35% say it isn’t accurate enough

At the same time, environmental concerns are pushing companies to rethink how inspections are conducted. Traditional helicopter-based inspections are under fire: 97% of executives recognize their significant emissions impact. Nearly all respondents (98%) say they’ve already invested in greener inspection technologies.

UAVs: Safer, Smarter, and More Sustainable

The report makes it clear: UAVs are no longer optional—they are becoming essential. Energy leaders overwhelmingly agree that UAVs provide distinct advantages:

  • 96% say UAVs are safer than helicopters

  • 96% say they are more environmentally friendly

  • 97% see additional use cases beyond inspections, such as carrying critical payloads

Still, adoption isn’t yet universal. Fewer than half (44%) of energy companies have implemented UAVs, and 88% cite regulatory hurdles as the main barrier. To manage complexity, 58% of companies plan to outsource some UAV operations and data analysis.

Looking ahead, the report predicts a major transition: 96% of executives believe UAVs will largely replace helicopters for infrastructure inspections within the next decade.

A Cultural Shift from Reactive to Proactive

Perhaps the most important theme in the Energy Infrastructure Index is the call for a cultural shift. Energy executives recognize that inspections must evolve from reactive responses to proactive prevention. Automated UAV inspections, paired with AI-driven data analysis, are poised to become the cornerstone of this new approach.

As Ulrich Amberg, CEO of SwissDrones, notes in the report:

“Traditional methods are no longer cost-effective, safe, or sustainable enough for the next era of energy infrastructure expansion and maintenance. So, energy sector leaders are exploring better ways to conduct inspections using robotic systems and UAVs to remove humans from harm’s way and collect more accurate data to catch issues before they lead to infrastructure outages or disasters.”

Conclusion

The Energy Infrastructure Index paints a clear picture: the energy industry can’t rely on outdated inspection models if it hopes to meet rising demand and climate challenges. Drones are emerging as the most viable path forward—offering safer, greener, and more reliable inspections that will help keep the lights on for millions across North America.

As regulatory frameworks catch up and adoption scales, drones are set to become not just a tool but a backbone of modern energy infrastructure management.

Download the full 2025 Energy Infrastructure Index on the SwissDrones website.

Thanks to The Drone Girl, whose article on the report brought it to our attention.