Project Trident
Future-proofing the gas market's data infrastructure.
What is Project Trident?
Project Trident refers to a significant project of work to modernise UK Link, the platform we use to connect the complex information, technology and communications systems that are essential to the successful competitive retail gas market in Britain.
Support for the existing version of UK Link expires in 2027 and it will need to be upgraded or replaced with a new solution – one which will meet both current and future needs.
Whilst there is the option to extend support for the current UK Link until 2030, there is the risk of unsupported components, and we must consider current limitations and opportunities of UK Link functionality, including:
- Data processing capabilities
- Customisation and complex architecture
- Supply chain and organisational optimisation
The modernisation of the infrastructure will present opportunities to make service delivery more efficient and economical. But as with any large-scale technological transformation project, timing and smart planning will be crucial.
Learn about Xoserve's role as the Central Data Services Provider (CSDP) and how UK Link facilitates the associated obligations in our 'Introduction to Project Trident' document.
We began our initial research in July 2024 and estimate that Project Trident will run to 2028.
Up until July 2025, our focus was on developing the Full Business Case (FBC), procuring the most suitable solution against a set of critical success factors, broken into five themes:
- Strategic fit and business need
- Potential value for money
- Affordability
- Achievability
- Capacity and capability
The new solution will need to be long-lived and supported until at least 2040 or beyond.
This means it will need to meet both current and future needs and consider unknowns. These can range from the introduction of blending into the current gas network, to changes to the gas code that may require delivery during the next five years.
Project Trident timelines are being informed by our engagement with the market and procurement, as previously stated these are our indicative dates and have been refreshed as of Q4 2025, and will be developed further.
Preferred hypothesis - customer consultation report
Feedback received during the Project Trident preferred hypothesis consultation period (30 July and 12 September 2025), found that customers largely expressed support or were neutral towards the preferred hypothesis, based on the information shared in the consultation. This was primarily due to the minimised delivery risk assumed with the hybrid option in comparison to self-build and the further adaptability of the hybrid solution.
The valuable customer input received will be considered alongside business needs including scalability, flexibility, speed of change and ultimately value for money of the technology option. This collective information will form our preferred option, which will be fully documented in the Economic Case of the Outline Business Case (OBC).
The creation of the Economic Case will also aim to provide the information requested by customers such as further clarity on the hybrid option.
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Preferred Hypothesis Customer Consultation Summary ReportA report detailing customer opinions and feedback on our Project Trident Preferred Hypothesis. Feedback was provided during the consultation period which was part of Project Trident’s business case and pre-procurement phase.
PDF, Last Updated 23/10/2025, 1.8 MB
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The Tide newsletter
Our monthly newsletter - The Tide - is our primary Project Trident update, designed to help raise awareness of the latest progress, activities, and collaboration opportunities.
You can find the latest version, along with our previous editions below.
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The Tide - Issue 11 - September 2025Welcome to #11 of The Tide, Xoserve’s monthly newsletter, providing a summary of our progress, sharing updates and upcoming work as we navigate the waters of our UK Link modernisation project together.
PDF, Last Updated 24/09/2025, 1.3 MB
- The Tide - Issue 10 - August 2025
- The Tide - Issue 9 - July 2025
- The Tide - Issue 8 - June 2025
- The Tide - Issue 7 - May 2025
- The Tide - Issue 6 - April 2025
- The Tide - Issue 5 - March 2025
- The Tide - Issue 4 - February 2025
- The Tide - Issue 3 - January 2025
- The Tide - Issue 2 - December 2024
- The Tide - Issue 1 - November 2024
Questions about Project Trident
We're compiling a list of questions and queries our customers have asked about Project Trident.
In the list below you can find high-level common queries we're regularly asked.
The ultimate decision-makers for Project Trident will be the Xoserve Board. Further details can be found on our dedicated Funding, governance and ownership webpage.
This will be through the usual channels such as the Contract Management Committee (CoMC) as well as further confidential briefings if/when required.
Where Project Trident draws on resources, particularly human resources, it is important that we have created required capacity within Xoserve and its third-party providers to ensure that business as usual activities remain a focus and fully resourced.
We have therefore included costs for this to be achieved. As we move into later stages of design, build and implementation, we think it will become more important that the usual levels of change activities are slowed to free up further capacity for Xoserve, third party providers and customers alike.
In our Project Trident Query Log, we've also collated a comprehensive list of queries that we've received since the start of the project.
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Project Trident query logView this document to read the common queries we've received since the start of Project Trident.
XLSX, Last Updated 13/08/2025, 56.6 KB
Have a question?
If you have a question about the project that isn't covered above, you can email us via communications@xoserve.com.
Transparent decision-making and engagement
We know that our customers and stakeholders want assurance that they are receiving value for money and to see clear reasons for investment.
We will provide a robust investment proposal through the HM Treasury Green Book approach, as well as seeking agreement on critical success factors for the future solution.
In accordance with our principles of transparency and trust, we also want to provide visibility of upcoming milestones and options for how our customers and stakeholders might want to engage with Project Trident.
We will facilitate customer engagement sessions to capture feedback at all stages of the project.
If you have early feedback or would like to suggest other forms of engagement, please email us via communications@xoserve.com.
Customer Advisors: building credibility and stakeholder trust
We've launched independent Customer Advisors for our DSC customer base.
Bringing a customer perspective to the highest level of Project Trident governance, your Customer Advisors will build greater transparency, credibility and stakeholder trust in any Project Trident decision-making.
Read our Customer Advisor Launch document below, which shares more about Gareth and Matthew, highlights their responsibilities and explains how they will engage with you.
Document archive
In the following list, you can find additional documents we've shared with customers across the course of the project.
Related links
Subscribe to The Tide - our monthly newsletter
Be the first to read the latest edition of our monthly newsletter, which highlights progress, activities and collaboration opportunities for Project Trident.
Essential reading
Want a quick summary?
We've collated key material below for essential reading about the project.
The Tide - Issue 11 now available
Our latest edition of The Tide includes a summary of progress, updates and upcoming work as we navigate the waters of our UK Link modernisation together.