SOFIAH NICHOLE SALIVIO

News Editor

Keen AI and SP Energy Networks have launched a digital tool for new electricity grid connections, aimed at developers seeking access to the UK transmission network.

Called Intelligent Connections Explorer, or IConn, the system is designed to speed up the earliest stage of the connection process by giving users an initial view of where and how a project may be able to connect. It provides indicative costs, likely timelines and potential technical constraints, producing results in under five seconds instead of after weeks of manual assessment.

The launch comes as pressure grows on Britain’s electricity networks from a surge in applications linked to wind, solar and battery storage projects. Grid connection reform has become a central part of the government’s Clean Power 2030 agenda, with network operators and developers under pressure to cut delays that can hold back investment decisions and project delivery.

Demand for new transmission connections rose more than fivefold between November 2024 and June 2025, according to Keen AI and SP Energy Networks. The increase has intensified scrutiny of the pre-application stage, when developers often seek early guidance on whether a scheme is viable before committing more time and money to formal submissions.

IConn digitises transmission network data to create a single view of existing, contracted and planned capacity. It then uses locally hosted models to generate possible connection routes, estimate costs, simulate power flows and flag technical limitations that may affect a project.

Work that previously relied on manual engineering analysis could take hours or several weeks to assemble, depending on the information required and the resources available. By automating much of that initial review, customer-facing teams are expected to give developers more consistent answers earlier in the process.

Growing queue

Britain’s grid connection queue has become one of the energy sector’s most persistent bottlenecks as the country tries to expand low-carbon electricity supply and strengthen energy security. Developers have long argued that uncertainty over available capacity, cost and timing can slow project planning well before a formal connection application is submitted.

For transmission owners and network operators, the strain also falls on engineering teams, which must process rising volumes of requests while balancing technical, regulatory and operational demands. In that context, tools that standardise initial assessments may help free up specialist staff for later-stage analysis and formal design work.

SP Energy Networks said IConn has already shown measurable benefits in the preliminary phases of the connections process, including faster early insight, more consistent information for developers, more efficient use of engineering time and support for teams handling high request volumes.

The system also aims to capture knowledge that might otherwise remain with individual engineers or local teams. That matters in a process where early advice can vary depending on who handles an enquiry and what data is immediately available.

Sector focus

Keen AI is a UK company focused on artificial intelligence applications for critical infrastructure. It has worked with utilities including National Grid, Scottish Power and SSE on asset monitoring and network planning, and secured Ofgem funding in 2025 to develop what it described as Britain’s Foundation Source Model for electricity infrastructure.

SP Energy Networks operates electricity distribution networks across central and southern Scotland, Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales and North Shropshire, as well as transmission networks in central and southern Scotland. The business serves more than 3.5 million customers across its network areas.

The collaboration reflects a broader move across the energy sector to use digital systems and automation in planning and operations as network owners face rising data volumes and tighter delivery targets. For connections, the commercial value lies in shortening the period before a developer can judge whether a project is worth pursuing.

Alana Cairns, Transmission Customer Liaison Manager at SP Energy Networks, said: “We’re really pleased to see IConn taking shape as a practical tool that reflects the depth of knowledge within our engineering teams. Working with Keen AI has allowed us to turn that expertise into something customers can access from day one, giving them a clearer understanding of their connection options and helping to set more informed expectations. It’s a great example of how innovation can directly enhance the customer experience.”

Amjad Karim, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Keen AI, said: “We have taken a process that used to consume hours of engineering time and compressed it to seconds. That’s the kind of step change the UK needs to meet growing demand for clean energy. There’s a narrow window to get this right. The projects waiting in the queue today are the wind farms and battery storage we need online by 2030. Now it’s about scaling that solution across the industry.”

New data from law firm Mills & Reeve shows a significant increase in demand for prenuptial agreements in the second quarter of the year.

The rise is linked to summer weddings, holiday planning, and time-sensitive instructions before ceremonies.

The firm highlighted that more than 65 per cent of prenups are concentrated in economic centres like Oxford, London, and Manchester.

It appears the trend is particularly prevalent among those working in finance, private equity, and entrepreneurial sectors.

The firm advises that prenups should ideally be signed at least 28 days before a wedding.

While not a legal requirement, this guideline has become a widely accepted benchmark.

The study also revealed a shift in the perception of prenups.

Once considered unromantic or a sign of distrust, they are now increasingly seen as practical.

Mills & Reeve reported that one in five UK weddings involve a prenup.

A 2025 YouGov survey found that 59 per cent of 25- to 49-year-olds believe having a prenup is a good idea.

With the average age of marriage now in the mid-30s, more people are entering marriage with their own homes, higher earnings, and existing assets, making prenups an increasingly common way to protect personal wealth.

The data covers the period from January 2022 to February 2026.

SOFIAH NICHOLE SALIVIO

News Editor

Waracle has agreed to acquire Edinburgh-based cloud and data services consultancy Inov8, expanding its presence in data and artificial intelligence.

The deal brings together Waracle’s workforce of about 300 people and Inov8’s team of 28. It aligns with Waracle’s growth strategy as it seeks to increase the share of revenue from data and AI work.

Edinburgh-headquartered Inov8 was founded in 2011 by Brian Graham. The business focuses on cloud services, data services and artificial intelligence, while Waracle develops digital products for clients in sectors including financial services, energy, health and the public sector.

The transaction marks another step in Waracle’s recent expansion. It previously acquired software engineering business HackSoft in Sofia, Bulgaria, and has increased headcount across its offices in London, Glasgow, Dundee, Edinburgh and Sofia.

Waracle has also made senior hires in its data and AI operations, appointing David Low as chief AI officer and James Poulten as head of data and AI last year.

Backed by growth investor BGF, the business said turnover rose by more than 30% in 2025 and pre-tax profit was nearly £2 million.

Growth plans

Waracle plans to increase its workforce from nearly 300 to 500 across the UK and Bulgaria by 2028. The acquisition of Inov8 gives it a larger base in cloud, data management and AI consulting as demand for those services rises across regulated and data-intensive industries.

For Inov8, the deal links a specialist consultancy with a larger digital product business serving organisations in financial services, health, energy and government-related work. Waracle’s client roster includes People’s Partnership, Roche, SP Energy Networks and Royal London.

David Tuck, Waracle Chief Executive, said: “We are incredibly excited to bring Inov8 into Waracle. We worked really hard to find a Data and AI consultancy that matched not only our ambitions, but also our values and culture.”

He added: “Since early 2025, as part of our strategic initiatives, we have focused on growing our Data and AI Practise. We have made massive strides over the last 18 months, and the talent within Inov8 will help us further our ambitions across both.”

Founders’ view

Inov8 founder Brian Graham said the business saw scope to extend its work through the combination. “Joining Waracle is a fantastic opportunity for Inov8 to demonstrate its depth of skills in Data & AI through Waracle’s scale and reach across financial services, energy and the public sector. We have always strived to deliver innovative solutions to client problems and build truly collaborative relationships as we do.”

He added: “We have spent a lot of time with David and other members of the Waracle leadership team getting to know them and the business. We know that joining forces at this moment will provide a great opportunity to be part of Waracle’s continued growth.”

The deal reflects continued consolidation among UK technology consultancies as firms look to add specialist expertise in cloud, data and AI while broadening access to clients in sectors under pressure to modernise digital systems. For Waracle, the addition of Inov8 strengthens a business that has expanded through both acquisitions and organic growth, with data and AI playing a more central role in its strategy.