Data Latency SLA Alignment for Gas Enquiry Service
Summary
The current performance level for the processing of Data from CDSP is no longer fit for purpose and does not reflect the operational capability of the service. The performance level was originally conceived as part of the CSS programme in 2022 and operational reality has shown it is not required by industry. A revision of the performance level will align service performance metrics with system performance and deliver economic benefit.
Latest update and next planned activity
Date of latest update
Latest Update
This Change Proposal has been implemented as part of the February 2026 REC Release.
Impacts Overview
Impacted REC Services
Gas Enquiry Service (GES)
Priority and rationale
Standard
Priority last updated on 29 May 2026
Solution development
Problem Statement
The current performance levels for the processing of data from CDSP is no longer fit for purpose and does not align with system or service performance. The CSDP is also not meeting these performance levels on a monthly basis. While there are no known issues on data latency raised by users, this change to clarify performance levels is needed for the GES reinstated contract and to ensure ongoing service delivery.
No documents available.
Change Plan
Proposal Plan approved at Change Panel
Completed
Start:
Due:
Completion:
07 Oct 2025Original submission
Change details
- - -
26 Aug 2025
Change details
Data Latency SLA Alignment for Gas Enquiry Service
The current performance level for the processing of Data from CDSP is no longer fit for purpose and does not reflect the operational capability of the service. The performance level was originally conceived as part of the CSS programme in 2022 and operational reality has shown it is not required by industry. A revision of the performance level will align service performance metrics with system performance and deliver economic benefit.
In addition, the current performance level wording is ambiguous in determining when the performance level applies from (‘when the clock starts ticking’) and when it stops (‘when the clock stops ticking’). There is also ambiguity on what determines when the data is available.
This change will address these concerns.
There are two performance levels which are impacted, the first relating to data required for the Supply Point Switching API and the second for data not required for that API. The two performance levels are set out in GES Service Definition as following.
1) 8.5. The GES shall process data received from the CDSP in accordance with the following Service Levels:
(a) data required within the Supply Point Switching API (as defined in the GES API Technical Specification) shall be available to Authorised Persons within 2 hours of an update being accepted from the relevant Shipper; and
(b) data not required within the Supply Point Switching API (as defined in the GES API Technical Specification) accepted by the CDSP before 04:00 hours shall be available to Authorised Persons by 09:00 hours on the same day.
In addition, the current performance level wording is ambiguous in determining when the performance level applies from (‘when the clock starts ticking’) and when it stops (‘when the clock stops ticking’). There is also ambiguity on what determines when the data is available.
This change will address these concerns.
There are two performance levels which are impacted, the first relating to data required for the Supply Point Switching API and the second for data not required for that API. The two performance levels are set out in GES Service Definition as following.
1) 8.5. The GES shall process data received from the CDSP in accordance with the following Service Levels:
(a) data required within the Supply Point Switching API (as defined in the GES API Technical Specification) shall be available to Authorised Persons within 2 hours of an update being accepted from the relevant Shipper; and
(b) data not required within the Supply Point Switching API (as defined in the GES API Technical Specification) accepted by the CDSP before 04:00 hours shall be available to Authorised Persons by 09:00 hours on the same day.
As noted above, the performance levels were created as part of the CSS programme without reference o system capability or industry demands. Currently the service provider is not meeting the performance level on a monthly basis. Industry has not been impacted by this.
The ambiguity and description of the current Service Definition “accepted from the relevant Shipper” provides an increase in process time during the holistic transfer of data through the estate and into the GES Service.
We want to separate the UK Link and GES Platform processing timings and measurements as each should have its own SLA, UK Link via the UNC and the GES Service via the REC. It is important to highlight that the UK link estate falls outside the REC and there is no intention to implement or discuss SLAs for UK Link within this Proposal.
The revised performance levels will eliminate ambiguity and instead be aligned to service and system performance. This will ensure that the performance levels measure what matters and also provide a credible and reliable measure of service provider performance. As noted, there is no current know issue raised to date by users of the GES service that would suggest said alteration would have a negative impact downstream to users, processes or retrieval of the data. No complaints have been raised on current performance levels.
The ambiguity and description of the current Service Definition “accepted from the relevant Shipper” provides an increase in process time during the holistic transfer of data through the estate and into the GES Service.
We want to separate the UK Link and GES Platform processing timings and measurements as each should have its own SLA, UK Link via the UNC and the GES Service via the REC. It is important to highlight that the UK link estate falls outside the REC and there is no intention to implement or discuss SLAs for UK Link within this Proposal.
The revised performance levels will eliminate ambiguity and instead be aligned to service and system performance. This will ensure that the performance levels measure what matters and also provide a credible and reliable measure of service provider performance. As noted, there is no current know issue raised to date by users of the GES service that would suggest said alteration would have a negative impact downstream to users, processes or retrieval of the data. No complaints have been raised on current performance levels.
Two main areas of solution are sought, with the first being to ensure clarity and a more accurate description of the start point for timing and processing of the data for the SLAs, this will remove ambiguity and set a clearer description, this will separate the UK Link estate and Gas Enquiry Service (GES). The second is to increase the time allowance currently stated to provide a balance, the Service Provider being able to more readily meet the SLA, without needing to consider an increase to the cost of maintaining the service, whilst providing a service that is suitable for the users of the data.
Change 1
The starting point for the specific timing of the SLAs is to be more clearly defined and described, to remove any doubt as to the starting point and calculation.
Change 2
The adjustment of the time allowed for SLA 8.5. a) (not adjusted for 8.5. b)) as highlighted within the below updated text to allow the relevant data to be made available to the GES platform, and its users.
These 2 changes are highlighted by the updated description to be applied to the Gas Enquiry Service Definition below in Capital letters and marked between Asterix ‘*’.
8.5. The GES shall process data received from the CDSP in accordance with the following Service Levels:
(a) (a) data required to be consumed within the Supply Point Switching API (as defined in the GES Supply Point Switching API Technical Specification) and make available to Authorised Persons within *4 HOURS* of the *DATA HAVING BEEN ACCEPTED AND PROCESSED IN UK LINK*.
(b) data received from the CDSP that is not required to be consumed within the Supply Point Switching API (as defined in the GES Supply Point Switching API Technical Specification) *HAVING BEEN ACCEPTED AND PROCESSED IN UK LINK* () before 04:00 hours and make available to Authorised Persons by 09:00 hours on the same day.
Change 1
The starting point for the specific timing of the SLAs is to be more clearly defined and described, to remove any doubt as to the starting point and calculation.
Change 2
The adjustment of the time allowed for SLA 8.5. a) (not adjusted for 8.5. b)) as highlighted within the below updated text to allow the relevant data to be made available to the GES platform, and its users.
These 2 changes are highlighted by the updated description to be applied to the Gas Enquiry Service Definition below in Capital letters and marked between Asterix ‘*’.
8.5. The GES shall process data received from the CDSP in accordance with the following Service Levels:
(a) (a) data required to be consumed within the Supply Point Switching API (as defined in the GES Supply Point Switching API Technical Specification) and make available to Authorised Persons within *4 HOURS* of the *DATA HAVING BEEN ACCEPTED AND PROCESSED IN UK LINK*.
(b) data received from the CDSP that is not required to be consumed within the Supply Point Switching API (as defined in the GES Supply Point Switching API Technical Specification) *HAVING BEEN ACCEPTED AND PROCESSED IN UK LINK* () before 04:00 hours and make available to Authorised Persons by 09:00 hours on the same day.
We maintain that there have been no complaints raised, and minimal tickets by users over approximately a 3 year period to date regarding latency and availability of the data affected by this SLA and proposed change.
We regard this change to have a high priority due to its incorporation in principle to the GES reinstated contract, its inclusion was seen to ensure ongoing service delivery.
This change is specific to Xoserve and their obligation to deliver the GES service, there will be no additional costs or charges for the change in SLA requested.
There will be no use of the term “Discovery” within this Change as to not link the SD and SLAs to a specific system or platform.
We regard this change to have a high priority due to its incorporation in principle to the GES reinstated contract, its inclusion was seen to ensure ongoing service delivery.
This change is specific to Xoserve and their obligation to deliver the GES service, there will be no additional costs or charges for the change in SLA requested.
There will be no use of the term “Discovery” within this Change as to not link the SD and SLAs to a specific system or platform.
Impacts
No details provided
Other (please provide details in Additional information box below)
Better SLAs for the Gas Enquiry Services.
No details provided
-
No details provided
-
Gas Enquiry Service (GES) Service Definition
-
No details provided
-
No details provided
-
Gas Enquiry Service
-
GES Users
-
No details provided
-
-
No details provided
Priority & timing
No
As described in the change.
-
-
No details provided
Other (please provide details in the Additional information box below)
Activity
Status has been changed to Implemented.
Orphaned SME: Lead Technical Analyst, Orphaned SME: Lead Assurance Analyst have been allocated as SME.
Status has been changed to Decision.
Implementation Date has been updated to 27 Feb 2026.