Blog by James Boyle, IT Delivery Lead – SP Energy Networks
In December 2024, we published our RIIO-T3 Business Plan, outlining a proposed investment of up to £12bn transforming our transmission network in Central and Southern Scotland during the 2026 to 2031 regulatory period.Published in conjunction with our business plan, was our RIIO-T3 Digitalisation Strategy. This document introduces our first digitalisation strategy looking ahead to the RIIO-T3 price control period, building on the foundational work completed during the T2 period (2021-2026). Our T3 strategy focuses on providing the digital platforms required to facilitate the transformation of data, supporting the creation of new ways of working across our Transmission business.
This blog explores the critical role digitalisation plays in delivering the RIIO-T3 programme and provides an overview of the £5 million investment we are making now in six priority T3 enabler initiatives, all scheduled for implementation ahead of the new price control period commencing on 1 April 2026.
Read on, or if you’re in a rush - click here to skip to the end for the top 3 takeaways.
Why are we undertaking the Digital Transformation?
The United Kingdom’s energy system is evolving to achieve Net Zero and Clean Power 2030 objectives.
These national targets aim to decarbonise the economy while ensuring the provision of clean, secure, and affordable electricity for all.
To meet the target an extraordinary shift to establish up to four times the current generation capacity to the grid in a fraction of the usual time. This transition must be delivered without compromising the high standards of reliability and safety that underpin the operation of our transmission network.
Where does the Digital Strategy come in?
To achieve a four-fold increase in energy transfer it requires a process redesign and technology to improve the user experience. Digitalisation is key to a modern energy system to meet the demands being placed on our business operations.
How will we deliver T3?
Digitalisation has been shaped into four pillars to drive the delivery roadmap:
- Delivering tools and insights for our customers and stakeholders
- Facilitating network growth through data and digital solutions
- Developing smart network and asset management capabilities
- Become a data driven organisation
What are the T3 Enablers?
The T3 Enablers comprise a set of strategically prioritised initiatives that have been agreed with the business for delivery prior to the commencement of T3 (1 April 2026). These initiatives are designed to deliver critical functionality and tangible benefits to the Transmission business, while also establishing the necessary teams, capabilities, strategic technologies and ways of working to ensure a seamless transition into the T3 period.
SP Energy Networks has committed an initial investment of £5 million across six key T3 Enabler initiatives. This forms part of a broader planned investment of approximately £85 million during the RIIO-T3 period, underpinning our commitment to digital transformation and operational excellence.
The six T3 Enablers are:
- Project & Portfolio Management Solution
- Contract Lifecycle Management Tool
- Priority BIM Enablers (Building Information Modelling)
- CRM Enhancements
- Risk Management Tool
- Data Sharing Infrastructure & Use Cases
Key Focus Areas for Enabling T3 Delivery
To successfully progress the T3 Enabler initiatives, several critical short-term objectives have been identified for my team. These areas are essential to ensuring readiness for the RIIO-T3 period and delivering value to the business from day one:
Establishment of the T3 Team
Building a dedicated and capable delivery team, supported by clearly defined processes, is fundamental to ensuring the successful execution of the initiatives. This includes recruiting the right skill sets, embedding delivery disciplines, and aligning this team to SPT business goals.
Collaboration Across Functions
- We are in the early stages of forming strong agile working relationships between Business Transformation and SP Transmission. but we’ve already established a strong rhythm of engagement. Regular meetings are now in place, and we’ve begun running joint working sessions to co-develop:
- Ways of Working – ensuring clarity on roles, responsibilities, creation of collaborative teams, and decision-making processes.
- Operating Models – aligning on how we’ll deliver, govern, and measure success across teams.
This collaborative approach is helping us build a shared understanding and the appropriate delivery frameworks, which will be key to executing our initiatives effectively and at pace.
Governance and Strategic Alignment
Implementing governance mechanisms and delivery processes will ensure strategic alignment across all initiatives. This includes providing PMO support, embedding continuous improvement practices, and maintaining oversight to ensure progress against objectives.
The top 3 takeaways from this blog are:
We have published our next Transmission Business Plan (RIIO-T3). This plan outlines our proposals for investing up to £12billion in our transmission network, in Central and Southern Scotland, from 2026 to 2031.
Our T3 Digitalisation Strategy focuses on providing the digital platforms required to facilitate the transformation of business processes and data, supporting the creation of new ways of working across the Transmission business.
Digitalisation has been shaped into 4 pillars to drive the delivery roadmap:
Delivering tools and insights for our customers and stakeholders
Facilitating network growth through data and digital solutions
Developing smart network and asset management capabilities
Become a data driven organisation