Utility Week

UTILITY WEEK | DECEMBER 2022 | 37 Pan-utility onboard, ready for their data to be used via NUAR, all well ahead of schedule. London Thames Water in London also helped demonstrate the feasibility and value of a new register and the need to put one in place at the earliest opportunity. It first did this through a proof of concept it conducted with other utilities in the area where it trialled bringing subsurface data together at select locations in London. Having completed this work, it elicited the help and support of the Greater London Authority, which has since led work to gather, refine and test requirements across the many sectors that work to service the capital. In particular, organisations such as Thames Water, UK Power Networks, Southern Gas Networks (SGN), Cadent, Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN), GTC (BUUK) and others worked with owners of underground assets in North East England not only to identify requirements but also to help consider the unique needs of asset owners working in more urban, built up areas. Working collaboratively in this manner has helped ensure the register is fit for purpose across all regions and this collaboration is stronger than ever via our focused user groups. Wales In addition to all the local authorities, utilities in Wales have been active in ensuring the new register comes to fruition at the earliest opportunity. In particular, SP Manweb and SP Energy Networks, subsidiaries of Scottish Power, were keen to understand the platform's ability to register not just underground assets but also overground assets which, when on site, need as much consideration as assets beneath the surface. Armed with the knowledge that the register will allow asset owners, like Scottish Power, to display their essential overground infrastructure, they were able to move quickly to ensure they are positioned to go live, in Wales, come April 2023. Wales & West Utilities, Broadband for the Rural North, National Grid (South Wales) and Welsh Government are also leading the way to improve worker safety by being among the first to sign up. Telecoms Telecommunication providers have also taken immediate action to promote improvements in this area. These organisations have shown their commitment to improved processes and worker safety through the better use of data whilst also recognising some data is sensitive and must be safeguarded. Openreach, in particular, worked directly with the Geospatial Commission to identify and refine security requirements which would need to be in place to ensure workers have access to the data they need to carry out their duties effectively without compromising the security of sensitive sites or assets. Virgin Media also helped refine the legal data-sharing framework, ensuring it is fair to all parties involved. More than 20 other telecommunications organisations have signed data-sharing agreements, demonstrating their commitment to NUAR and the suitability of the legal framework documents. Though it is not possible to describe the contributions of each of the hundreds of organisations that have demonstrated a tangible commitment to NUAR, through sharing data and/or entering legal data- sharing agreements, it is clear there is a growing step change in how data is valued and shared, and there's a recognition that now is the time to act. While the National Underground Asset Register is a first step in recognising this, it is hard to overstate what the future may hold with so many utilities, telecoms, and public sector bodies working together, leading, and acting for the benefit of their customers and local communities. NUAR will go live in three regions: North East England, Wales and London in March 2023. In the same transparent manner the NUAR team has engaged the asset owner community to date, the service will increase coverage and functionality until December 2024 when the rest of England and Northern Ireland will be onboarded. We are engaging with asset owners from all regions now. If you're an asset owner that has not yet signed up to the National Underground Asset Register, please contact the delivery team: nuaronboarding@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

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