23 April 2025
Dave Turpin, Director of Programmes and Service Delivery (and one of the longest serving members of Xoserve).
As the Central Data Service Provider (CDSP), our journey has been one of continuous adaptation, set against growing climate awareness, technological advancement, and changes to market operations. We have always understood that the efficient and reliable flow of gas data is fundamental to the work of our customers, underpinning the nation's gas supply.
As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, we have an exciting opportunity to reflect on our past. This significant milestone is not just about our organisation, but about the people within it.
It allows us to recognise the shared challenges we've faced and the collective efforts that have brought us to where we are today. We also acknowledge that our progress and achievements are firmly linked to the success of those we serve.
This blog will explore the key moments in our history, the milestones of the energy sector, and the lessons learned. We will look at how they have influenced and informed our present position and our ongoing commitment to supporting the gas industry's evolution.
The creation of Xoserve
The beginning of the 21st century brought significant shifts in Britain's gas market, with new dynamics of price volatility following interconnection with Europe. This, coupled with the seasonal demands and existing infrastructural constraints, presented the industry with complex market challenges and the urgent need for a revised energy policy.
This period also marked the beginning of a concerted effort to address climate change through the reduction of carbon emissions and ensuring the delivery of secure, clean and affordable energy. The establishment of regulatory bodies like Ofgem reflected the industry's commitment to adapting to changing environmental and market demands.
In the mid-2000s, Xoserve also emerged as an independent entity. Our mandate was clear: to procure, manage, deliver and assure the critical gas industry services which our customers and stakeholders rely on to be able to operate in the market. We undertook the responsibility of maintaining the central register, storing critical information about gas supply premises and facilitating the secure flow of data to and from gas transportation companies and shippers.
This role was, and remains, crucial in ensuring the delicate balance between supply and demand, by accurately tracking gas flows across the network and identifying gas companies entering and leaving the industry.
Learn more about Xoserve’s role
Key milestones
The past two decades have seen shifts in economic situations, political policies, regulations, consumer attitudes and technological advancements that have impacted the energy industry over the years.
Here’s a brief overview of Britain's energy and Xoserve milestones:
May 2005: The Uniform Network Code (UNC) replaced the Transco Network Code.
1 May 2005: Xoserve was established. Operating on behalf of Gas Transporters.
2005: The Gemini system was launched to manage the energy balancing and capacity management of the National Transmission System.
2011: The official rollout of smart meters in the UK began.
2016: Chris Murray, former Xoserve CEO, was appointed an MBE for services to the energy sector and charity.
2017: Xoserve funding, governance and ownership review led to the establishment of the Data Services Contract. This introduced Shippers to the contractual arrangements alongside Gas Transporters, and formally designated Xoserve as the Central Data Services Provider (CDSP).
2017: We delivered Project Nexus to replace the aged UKLink system, introducing individual meter point reconciliation for the first time.
2022: Central Switching Programme completes and becomes the Gas Registered Data Agent.
2022: The UK Link Portal migrated to the cloud.
2022: Our Decarb Discussions podcast series launched.
2023: Xoserve’s Credit & Risk team supported the industry during the gas crisis.
2023: Steve Brittan appointed as CEO of Xoserve.
2023: We introduced a new and improved business plan process.
2023: Xoserve hosted our first industry roundtable.
2024: We co-hosted an award-winning event with the Fuel Bank Foundation.
2024: Project Trident launched to future-proof the gas market's data infrastructure.
2025: Xoserve celebrates 20 years as the CDSP.
Xoserve's vision, values, and purpose
In our early years, Xoserve's values were respect, commitment, and teamwork. Our primary focus was on delivering the essential services our customers required to meet their obligations within the industry codes.
As the energy landscape continued to change, our perspective broadened to look at the wider energy market. We recognised that our role needed to transform too, from reactive to a more forward-thinking approach.
Following our appointment as the CDSP by Ofgem in 2017, our customers had a direct voice in shaping the services we provide. This responsibility became a central principle of our purpose. This shift necessitated a renewed vision:
“We believe in radically simplifying the Energy Market through maintaining and leveraging industry assets for the benefit of all.”
Just under a decade later, we once again recognised the accelerating changes within our industry and the evolving expectations of our stakeholders. In July 2024, we set out three strategic principles within our Business Plan. These principles are:
- Build Trust by providing ‘transparency as standard’ and identifying new ways we can drive valuable outcomes for all.
- Innovate in order to help facilitate the transition to Net Zero.
- Deliver the robust, secure Central Data Service Provider (CDSP) services that are required now, and in the future.
While this glimpse into the past 20 years offers a sense of the journey Xoserve has undertaken, our focus remains on the future. We're preparing for newly emerging energy markets and will support our customers through innovative data systems and services.
As we commemorate this milestone, stay connected in the weeks and months ahead as we share more about our vision for the future and celebrate this anniversary.
Get in touch
If you have any feedback or questions on any of the above, please email us at communications@xoserve.com.
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