The UK’s National Energy System Operator (NESO) on Monday unveiled a new roadmap aimed at accelerating the digital transformation of the country’s energy system, outlining 16 priority actions to help meet the government’s target of a fully clean power grid by 2030.
The Sector Digitalisation Plan was developed in collaboration with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ofgem, and a range of industry and stakeholder organisations. It highlights the need for enhanced digital infrastructure, advanced modelling, and greater data integration across the energy sector and beyond.
“To reach Clean Power by 2030, Great Britain needs robust digital infrastructure and seamless integration across systems, sectors and society,” said Shubhi Rajnish, NESO’s Chief Information Officer. “The Sector Digitalisation Plan sets the roadmap to deliver the lasting digital journey needed to make these goals a reality.”
NESO said the 16 actions outlined in the plan are intended to build a “foundational digital energy system” that enables effective data creation, sharing, processing, and interpretation across the sector. Technologies such as artificial intelligence, predictive modelling, and digital tooling are expected to play a central role.
The plan assigns responsibilities to several key industry entities including the Retail Energy Code Company (RECCo), the Data Communications Company (DCC), and Elexon, among others. NESO said that future versions of the plan will evolve based on industry feedback and may identify additional organisations to fill current delivery gaps.
“We very much see this as the first iteration and look forward to feedback as well as keeping pace with the evolving digital and technology landscape,” Rajnish added. “Working together with Government, Ofgem and wider stakeholders, the energy sector can deliver on its potential that will support not only Clean Power by 2030 but will support the integration of new technologies and energy needs over the coming decades.”
The initiative reflects growing recognition that digitalisation is a key enabler of the UK’s broader energy transition, particularly as the grid becomes more decentralised and reliant on intermittent renewable sources. NESO’s roadmap is expected to guide investment and collaboration in the years leading up to the 2030 target.
