Lancet

Status:

Live

Project Reference Number:

NIA_SSEN_0082

STRATEGY THEME:

Optimised assets and practices

START DATE:

END DATE:

Feb 2026Jul 2026

Project summary

Funding Licensee(s):

SSEN - Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution Plc
SSEN - Southern Electric Power Distribution Plc
UKPN - Eastern Power Networks Plc
UKPN - London Power Networks Plc
UKPN - South Eastern Power Networks Plc

Funding mechanism:

NIA_RIIO-2

Technology:

Asset Management
Condition Monitoring
Environmental
Maintenance & Inspections
Transformers

Expenditure:

£100,200

Third Party Collaborators:

Steer Energy

Currently, PCB (Polychlorinated Biphenyl) testing in Pole Mounted Transformers (PMTs) requires an outage for oil sampling, and potentially a second outage for replacement of the transformer. This approach increases disruption for our customers, cost, and environmental risk. With over 16,500 PMTs having been classified low-risk (Green) for contamination, still in service and PCB obligations continuing, future interventions must be more efficient and cost-effective across the SSEN network. This project will develop, certify, and integrate the Lancet tool, enabling safe oil sampling from energised PMTs without an outage. The project will deliver qualification testing, compliance certification, and a manufacturing plan for scale-up of Lancet. Lancet will accelerate testing, minimise outages, ensure targeted replacement of PMTs, and support environmental compliance, ensuring long-term resilience and cost savings for Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) while meeting regulatory obligations.

Benefits

The proposed solution delivers operational, financial and environmental benefits while improving the service provided to customers. By enabling safe oil sampling from energised Pole Mounted Transformers (PMTs), it removes the need for outages and full unit removal, reducing customer disruption and improving network availability. At present if a PMT is suspected of being having PCB, the unit is removed from the pole for testing and replaced. With the original unit being removed from site for testing. This solution will help avoid the scenario where potentially healthy units are replaced, avoiding unnecessary works, reducing costs and improving asset utilisation.

The tool will accelerate testing of outstanding high-risk PMTs and support targeted interventions for units that may be reclassified as high-risk beyond 2025, ensuring ongoing compliance with PCB obligations. Environmental benefits include reduced waste and lower carbon impact from fewer transformer disposals. Overall, the project strengthens compliance, improves efficiency, and enhances the Distribution Network Operator’s ability to manage risk and maintain service quality.

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Title

Date modified

Document type

NIA Project Registration and PEA Document 2026-03-03 12_15 (116.1 KB) 2026-03-03

2026-03-03

pdf

NIA_SSEN_0082_LANCET_PEA_FINAL.pdf (682.5 KB) 2026-02-16

2026-02-16

pdf

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