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TSOs rank cybersecurity first, ABI Research survey shows

Source Decision Insights Record Published October 14, 2026 Companies 1
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17th article in the last 90 days, one of 46 articles referencing ABI Research. Previous coverage: ABI Research forecasts MES market growth to $43 billion by 2036 (Sep 2026).

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Director
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Operational Expansion
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Utilities / Grid Infrastructure & Power Transmission

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Transmission System Operators (TSOs) are turning to software to ease grid constraints, strengthen cybersecurity, and expand capacity as electricity demand and network complexity grow, according to a survey from ABI Research.

Cybersecurity is expected to stay the top concern for these operators over the next two years. The need to keep aging infrastructure running and to add grid capacity for rising customer demand determines where operators plan to invest.

Energy Management Systems (EMS) emerged as the core operational software category, while grid planning software and other applications help operators modernize aging infrastructure and manage increasingly dynamic grid conditions. Software is commonly procured embedded within hardware, a pattern that signals software vendors must align closely with hardware partners to win utility business.

The survey was conducted online in the second quarter of 2026 with 455 respondents, 151 of whom work at TSOs across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Energy Management Systems show a median budget of US$1 million over the next 12 months.

Grid planning software has a median budget of US$200,000 to US$500,000, with spending rising by up to 10%, while Grid Enhancing Technologies are projected to grow from a lower base of US$100,000 to US$200,000. “TSOs are no longer evaluating software purely as an efficiency tool; they increasingly see it as essential to grid security, resilience, and expansion,” said Michael Larner, Senior Research Director at ABI Research.

“Vendors targeting TSOs need to lead with security credibility, interoperability, and ease of doing business, rather than assuming AI alone will differentiate their offer,” Larner said. “Operators are open to innovation, including cloud deployment, but they want technologies that strengthen existing processes, support grid expansion, and deliver measurable operational value in increasingly volatile operating environments.” Budget growth for Energy Management Systems is expected at 0% to 5% over 24 months.

Press release, provided by Globe Newswire on behalf of ABI Research. Read the original.

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