Launching the Outline Business Case for Project Trident: Securing the Future of UK Link

This OBC is the latest phase of the HM Treasury Green Book Business Case process. It is the second of three Business Cases that will be published for Project Trident, and builds upon the information shared in the Strategic Outline Case (SOC) published in September 2024.

In the OBC, we confirm the SAP Hybrid approach as the preferred option for Project Trident. It sets out a clear plan of action for the next stage of the project, particularly around procurement and ensuring the right supplier(s) are in place to deliver a smooth, professional and effective service.

Why Project Trident?

UK Link is a mission-critical platform underpinning the billing, settlement, and administration of over 25-million-meter points across the gas market. With key SAP components, including the SAP ECC6 IS-U Core, approaching end-of-life in 2027, decisive action is required to ensure continuity, resilience, and future flexibility for the industry. Project Trident is our response to this challenge - an investment to modernise and futureproof UK Link, supporting its operation through to at least 2040.

Our progress so far

Since the launch of the SOC, we have rigorously assessed six potential pathways for UK Link’s future. Through market engagement, customer needs analysis and technical due diligence, we have progressively narrowed the options. Our analysis has been guided by critical success factors such as strategic fit, affordability, value for money, capability, and achievability.

The preferred option: SAP Hybrid

After a comprehensive evaluation, the OBC confirms the SAP Hybrid approach as the preferred option for Project Trident. This option involves migrating the UK Link Core to SAP S/4HANA, while enabling flexibility in the selection of integration and reporting components. The SAP Hybrid option also enables us to invest in a second “Evolve” stage, which will support simplifying the UK Link data architecture with the use of microservices. This option balances risk, cost, and future adaptability, while minimising disruption to customers.

We found that the key benefits of the SAP Hybrid approach include:

• Minimising customer impact and risk to CDSP services through phased migration and robust technical assurance.
• Preserving industry investment by migrating the existing SAP ECC6 IS-U Core to a modern, supported platform.
• Enhancing flexibility and scalability to meet evolving industry and regulatory requirements.

This decision is conditional on us now competitively testing the market and remains subject to change until we reach the Project Trident solution which we will outline in the Full Business Case (FBC). If through further analysis and negotiation with potential delivery partners in 2026, the preferred option is not deemed to be deliverable at acceptable risk, affordable, or provides customers with value for money, we will revert to an alternative option that better meets the needs of the project, our customers, and the industry.

Next steps

The OBC sets out our plans for procurement, stakeholder engagement, and further solution development as we move towards the FBC. We expect to complete our procurement phase, FBC, and move into the Design, Test & Build phase by summer 2027. Our commitment to transparency, collaboration, and value for money remains at the heart of Project Trident. We will continue to work closely with customers, market participants, and expert partners to ensure the successful delivery of this vital project.

For more information and to stay updated on Project Trident, please visit our dedicated Project Trident webpage and subscribe to our monthly newsletter – The Tide.

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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