The Top Technology Challenges Facing UK Utilities in 2026

By Aaron Dosa, Panasonic TOUGHBOOK Utilities Business Manager

The Top Technology Challenges Facing UK Utilities in 2026

From connectivity and cybersecurity to sustainability and data-driven decisions, here’s how the UK’s utility networks are gearing up for a more connected future.

1. Legacy infrastructure and the data disconnect

The UK’s utility networks are among the most complex in the world, built up over decades and packed with legacy systems that don’t always play nicely together

Water and energy providers are striving to bridge the gap between old and new, integrating sensors, field data and back-office systems into a single, accurate view of operations.

Anglian Water highlights this exact goal in its long-term strategy: “We aim to better serve our customers by driving digital transformation across our business… embracing new, engaging approaches and digital technology.” (Anglian Water Strategic Direction 2020–2045)

The challenge isn’t just data silos. It’s how to make that data useful for people on the ground, engineers, inspectors, and field technicians who need live information wherever they are.

In 2026, expect to see:

A continued shift from reactive maintenance to predictive analytics.
Greater integration between GIS, SCADA, and mobile workflows.
Growing demand for hardware that connects every stage of the data chain, even offline.

My takeaway:
Field teams can’t afford delays. Rugged mobile IT keeps data moving across all environments, helping utilities turn insight into action, no matter the conditions.

2. Field connectivity and real-time visibility

Whether it’s engineers restoring power in storm-hit areas or field crews inspecting remote water mains, reliable connectivity is now essential. Distribution Network Operators such as Western Power Distribution and energy suppliers like Electric North West have publicly stated that improving digital visibility across their networks is central to resilience and customer service.

As Affinity Water notes in its sustainability strategy, innovation and resilience go hand in hand: “Embedding digital technology and smart data across our network helps us reduce leakage and deliver a more reliable service.” (Affinity Water Sustainability Strategy)

Key challenges for 2026:

Expanding network coverage in rural areas where signal strength is limited.
Managing vast fleets of connected devices and IoT sensors.
Delivering real-time data access to teams working in the field.

My takeaway:
Rugged devices built for low-signal environments and equipped with multi-network 4G/5G connectivity give field teams the power to work continuously, sharing data, images and reports in real time.

3. Digital transformation and workforce modernisation

Utilities are transforming fast, but people remain at the heart of that change. Companies like Northern Gas Networks and Electric North West are investing heavily in digital training, new workflows and advanced tools to make field operations smarter and safer.

At Anglian Water, the adoption of AI and advanced analytics is already showing results: “By moving data to the forefront of operations, we can uncover insights and automate decision-making across the business.” (Autodesk Case Study)

The 2026 priority list includes:

Equipping field engineers with intuitive, reliable digital tools.
Reducing administrative burden through automation.
Attracting new talent with modern, tech-enabled working practices.

My takeaway:
Modernising field operations doesn’t just mean new software, it’s about giving people technology that empowers them. Tough, powerful devices support next-generation workflows and help utilities keep experienced teams connected with the digital systems transforming their work.

4. Cybersecurity and regulatory resilience

As every sensor, meter and field laptop becomes a potential entry point, cybersecurity has become a board-level issue for UK utilities. The upcoming NIS2 directive and evolving Ofgem and Ofwat expectations are raising the bar for cyber resilience across both energy and water sectors.

Data protection is now as critical in a pumping station as it is in a control room. With so much operational technology now connected, a single compromised endpoint could disrupt essential services and utilities know it. Many, like Northern Gas Networks and Electric North West, have already made cybersecurity and network resilience central to their 2026 digital strategies.

Top security pressures for 2026:

Managing thousands of distributed endpoints and connected assets.
Meeting tougher audit and compliance standards under NIS2.
Keeping field devices patched, encrypted, and trackable without interrupting workflows.

My takeaway:
Security has to start at the device level. Panasonic TOUGHBOOK devices feature enterprise-grade protection, BIOS-level security options, and remote management capabilities that help utilities safeguard critical data from the ground up, wherever the job takes their teams.

5. Sustainability and climate resilience

Few sectors face as much scrutiny as utilities when it comes to sustainability. From net-zero goals to resource efficiency, organisations are under pressure to deliver greener operations without compromising service reliability.

Affinity Water’s long-term plan sets an ambitious target: “Leave the environment in a sustainable and measurably improved state while ensuring physical assets are resilient for the long term.” (Affinity Water Long-Term Plan)

Meanwhile, Kelda Group (Yorkshire Water) and United Utilities are investing in digital twins, smart sensors and predictive maintenance to cut leakage, improve response times, and reduce environmental impact.

What 2026 will bring:

More real-time environmental monitoring.
Greater focus on energy-efficient field operations.
Pressure to quantify sustainability progress through data.

My takeaway:
Resilient operations start with resilient tools. Rugged devices that enable fast, data-driven fieldwork not only improve uptime but also help capture the sustainability metrics that regulators and investors now demand.

The road ahead

2026 will be a defining year for UK utilities. The mission isn’t just to digitise, it’s to build a more connected, secure, and sustainable network that can stand up to the challenges of the next decade.

And that requires field technology built for the front line: durable, connected, secure and designed to last.

When there’s no time for downtime, Panasonic TOUGHBOOK helps keep UK & Ireland's essential services running.

The Top Technology Challenges Facing UK Utilities in 2026