‘If I had a magic wand I’d build an open platform to bring together all energy data’ says Microsoft’s Peris

Pablo Peris, Industry Lead and EMEA Energy & Resources Director at Microsoft, shares how Europe can tackle the energy trilemma with AI-enhanced forecasting, connected grid systems and a digitally-skilled workforce.

How does the European energy sector turn shared ambition into collaborative action?

Europe’s energy sector is increasingly defined by its collective ambition to achieve net-zero emissions, enhance energy security and deliver affordable energy. Turning this ambition into action requires a unified approach across governments, utilities, technology providers and industrial players. Collaboration is being driven by shared frameworks like the well-known energy trilemma and enabled by digital platforms that support data sharing, predictive modelling, agentic AI for autonomous decision-making and intelligent grid operations.

Microsoft’s ecosystem of partners is helping European energy leaders modernise infrastructure, integrate distributed energy resources and scale renewable generation. By leveraging cloud-scale analytics and AI, these organisations are not only aligning on goals but also executing joint initiatives that deliver measurable impact today.

What does Europe need to do to deliver competitive, resilient energy by 2030?

To deliver competitive and resilient energy by 2030, Europe must accelerate its digital transformation and decarbonisation efforts. This includes modernising aging infrastructure with intelligent systems that support real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance; expanding renewable energy through AI-enhanced forecasting and load balancing; integrating IT and OT systems to ensure operational continuity and cybersecurity; and investing in workforce transformation, including reskilling and AI-driven productivity tools.

Microsoft’s AI-powered platforms are helping energy providers forecast demand, optimise supply chains, and reduce emissions. By 2030, resilience will depend not just on physical assets but on the agility of digital systems and the strength of cross-sector partnerships.

It’s 2030: what does Europe’s energy mix look like?

I think that by 2030, Europe’s energy mix will be significantly more diversified, decentralised, and decarbonised. We expect:

• A dominant share of renewables, especially solar and wind, supported by intelligent grid technologies.
• Distributed energy resources (DERs)—such as EVs, battery storage, and prosumer solar—playing a central role in grid interaction.
• Low- and zero-carbon fuels, including hydrogen and bioenergy, are integrated into industrial and transport sectors.
• AI-powered platforms managing load demand, grid stability, and energy efficiency across commercial and residential environments.

This transformation will be underpinned by hyperscale cloud and edge computing, enabling real-time insights and adaptive energy systems.

Is there another industry vertical which has vital lessons for the energy sector?

Yes: manufacturing offers vital lessons in operational efficiency, digital transformation, and workforce enablement. The energy sector can learn from manufacturing’s use of digital twins for asset modeling and predictive maintenance; AI-enhanced productivity tools for frontline workers; and integrated supply chain platforms that optimise logistics and reduce waste.

Microsoft’s work in manufacturing—through solutions like Dynamics 365 and Azure IoT—has demonstrated how intelligent automation and data-driven decision-making can transform legacy operations. These same principles are now being applied to energy systems to improve reliability, safety, and sustainability.

COP30: are you optimistic or pessimistic? 

I’m an optimist, specifically a technological optimist by belief, but with caveats. COP30 must move beyond pledges and deliver enforceable mechanisms for climate accountability. To make true impact, it should:

• Mandate transparent emissions reporting using standardised digital platforms.
• Accelerate financing for clean energy infrastructure, especially in emerging markets.
• Support technology adoption, including AI for carbon tracking and renewable integration.
• Foster global collaboration across public and private sectors.

Microsoft is committed to supporting these goals through its sustainability solutions and partner ecosystem. With the right policy and technology alignment, COP30 can be a turning point for climate action.

What is the biggest workforce issue for the energy transition? 

One of the biggest issues is digital reskilling at scale. As legacy roles evolve and new technologies emerge, energy companies must equip their workforce with digital and AI competencies. This includes upskilling frontline workers with mixed-reality tools and remote assist capabilities; automating workflows to reduce manual tasks and improve safety; and enhancing collaboration through intelligent platforms like Microsoft Copilot.

Retention and recruitment are also critical, especially as the sector faces a wave of retirements. But without a robust reskilling strategy, the energy transition risks being slowed by a skills gap.

Is the energy sector making the most of the current AI tech? 

Not yet—but the potential is enormous. While 74% of energy and utility companies have adopted AI, only 1% of companies consider their deployment mature. Key opportunities include forecasting energy supply and demand; detecting and resolving power quality issues; and improving asset productivity and energy efficiency.

Microsoft’s generative AI solutions—like Azure OpenAI and Copilot—are helping energy leaders unlock productivity potential. In fact, McKinsey & Company points out that there’s a long-term AI opportunity for $4.4 trillion in added productivity growth potential. Generative AI comprises a significant part of that potential. An IDC study, sponsored by Microsoft, shows that the return on investment for generative AI is $3.7x per USD$1.

How do you see the role of AI supporting/enabling your organisation's CX strategy?

AI is central to transforming customer experience (CX) in energy. It enables:

• Personalised service delivery through intelligent self-service and virtual agents.
• Proactive issue resolution using predictive analytics.
• New energy offerings tailored to customer behaviour and preferences.

By integrating AI into CX platforms, energy providers can deliver seamless, responsive, and sustainable experiences. Microsoft’s solutions are helping organisations turn customer data into actionable insights.

What sustainability practice in your organisation are you most proud of? And how have you reduced your personal carbon footprint?

We’re proud of our commitment to net-zero operations and our support for customers on their decarbonisation journeys. Our goal is to develop technology that is inclusive, trusted, and accelerates sustainability progress. In 2020, we announced bold environmental commitments to help build a more sustainable future:

• Carbon negative: By 2030, we will be carbon negative, and by 2050, we will remove all historical emissions since our founding in 1975.
• Zero waste: By 2030, we aim to achieve zero waste across our direct waste footprint.
• Water positive: By 2030, we will replenish more water than we consume across our direct operations.
• Protect and preserve ecosystems: By 2025, we will protect more land than we use.

These goals are not just aspirational—they’re being realised through tangible infrastructure investments. Our new Fairwater AI datacenter in Wisconsin exemplifies this vision. Engineered to be the world’s most powerful AI facility, it features a closed-loop liquid cooling system that recirculates water with zero operational waste, requiring only a single fill during construction.

Over 90% of the facility’s cooling needs are met through this system, dramatically reducing water consumption compared to traditional datacenters. Additionally, every kilowatt-hour of fossil fuel electricity used is matched with carbon-free energy, supported by a new 250-megawatt solar project.

By integrating sustainability into the very foundation of our AI infrastructure, we’re demonstrating that technological advancement and environmental stewardship can—and must—go hand in hand.

Personally, I believe the real breakthrough comes when AI and intelligent agents are not just tools for efficiency but active participants and catalysts for sustainability. For me, it’s about designing systems that anticipate environmental impact and optimise for it automatically, transforming sustainability from a reporting exercise into a living, adaptive system that learns and improves continuously. Agents can help organisations make smarter decisions, whether it’s reducing energy use in real time, predicting supply chain emissions before they happen, or helping individuals make greener choices in their daily lives.

I see these technologies as partners in progress that amplify human intention with precision and scale. AI should empower people, not replace their judgement, and when applied responsibly it becomes a true force multiplier for climate action. Sustainability isn’t a checkbox; it’s a mindset, and AI is one of the most powerful enablers to make that mindset both practical and scalable.

What are the biggest challenges facing energy leaders today? 

Energy leaders face a convergence of challenges: meeting rising demand while transitioning to clean energy; modernising infrastructure under cost and time constraints; navigating regulatory complexity and geopolitical risks; and addressing workforce transformation and digital readiness.

These challenges require bold leadership, cross-sector collaboration, and technology-driven innovation. Microsoft is helping leaders tackle these issues through AI, cloud, and data platforms that support resilience, efficiency, and sustainability.

How are your industry experts going to address these challenges at Enlit Europe?

At Enlit Europe in Bilbao, our experts will showcase:

• AI-powered solutions for grid modernisation and data architecture, permitting, and energy forecasting.
• Workforce transformation tools that enhance safety and productivity and help address the talent gap challenge we’re facing in the industry.
• We’ll also engage in dialogue around policy, innovation, and the future of energy—sharing insights that help leaders turn ambition into action.

If you had a magic wand what is one thing you would implement today?

If I had a magic wand, I’d build an open, intelligent platform that brings all energy data together in one place. It would use AI and agents to track emissions in real time, predict where improvements can be made, and act on those insights automatically. Agents could collaborate across the energy system, helping optimise operations, balance supply and demand, and identify new opportunities to cut waste and emissions. With clearer data and smarter automation, companies could make faster, better decisions, regulators could set more effective policies, and consumers could see the real impact of their choices. The goal is simple: use AI and agents to make sustainability measurable, actionable, and part of everyday decision-making.