Access underground asset information faster to plan and deliver work on energy assets more efficiently

By providing an instantly accessible, secure, and standardised view of underground assets across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the National Underground Asset Register (NUAR) complements and enhances how energy organisations undertake their existing safe digging practices as set out under HSG47 and other regulatory frameworks. Instead of sourcing and interpreting records from multiple organisations, users can quickly access standardised asset information, helping them make faster, better-informed decisions. From design and construction through to maintenance, operation and emergency repairs, NUAR improves visibility, strengthens coordination, reduces delays and helps minimise the risk of costly utility strikes. Supporting safer and more productive delivery of electricity and gas works.

In June 2025 the Data (Use and Access) Bill received Royal Assent, putting NUAR on a statutory footing for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The regulations to establish NUAR as a statutory register remain in progress with the UK Government. The data provided by asset owners who have voluntarily joined the service so far covers over 80% of the known underground assets.

Why use NUAR

Support safer excavation

With thousands of accidental utility strikes occurring each year, NUAR gives teams instant access to underground asset information from multiple organisations, helping them understand what lies beneath the ground and make safer, more informed decisions when planning works.

Reduce time spent gathering asset information

NUAR provides instant access to underground asset information from multiple organisations through a secure digital service, reducing the time and effort needed to obtain data, helping teams plan works more efficiently.

Standardised asset visibility

NUAR brings together underground asset information from multiple organisations into a clear, standardised view, helping teams identify constraints earlier, improve coordination and plan works more efficiently.

Who can benefit?

NUAR supports organisations across the energy sector, including:

  • Electricity transmission operators
  • Electricity distribution network operators (DNOs)
  • Independent distribution network operators (IDNOs)
  • Gas transmission operators
  • Gas distribution network operators
  • Independent gas transporters (IGTs)
  • Energy infrastructure developers
  • Network planners and designers
  • Asset protection teams
  • Operational and maintenance teams

The service is also available to authorised supply chain contractors working directly on behalf of participating asset owners.

Typical use cases

Reduce the Risk of Utility Strikes

With an instant, standardised view of underground assets to increase risk awareness when planning works to support safe digging practices

Understand What's Beneath the Ground

Use standardised asset data to inform site orientation, surveys and early-stage decision-making for installation, maintenance and repair of your assets

Emergency Response

Enable faster access to underground asset information when responding to power outages, gas emergencies and network faults.

Supporting the energy sector

NUAR already contains data from many major energy and utility organisations such as SGN, Cadent Gas and Northern Ireland Electricity Networks, and continues to expand its coverage across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

SGN partnered with Ordnance Survey to trial NUAR, giving field teams instant access to standardised underground asset data. The pilot improved efficiency, strengthened safety, and led to a wider rollout across its network. Matthew Cox, Lean Central Practice Lead at SGN said: “NUAR has significantly strengthened our safe digging practices and our commitment to Zero Harm by giving teams in the field instant access to utility mapping. Its simplicity and the support from OS have allowed us to scale adoption quickly across SGN. Our engineers have spoken highly of the system, with feedback such as, ‘Having utilities in one place—it’s like the future. "

Read the SGN case study

Get access to NUAR

Contact us to find out how NUAR can help your organisation improve planning, coordination and visibility of underground infrastructure.

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