4D in energy sector projects: 5 key insights for contractors
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The energy sector is entering a pivotal delivery phase: accelerated transmission upgrades, complex brownfield interfaces, and tighter regulatory scrutiny are reshaping how programmes are planned and governed. Against this backdrop, 4D has moved from add‑on to core delivery discipline.
In a recent podcast episode, Majenta’s Strategy Lead, Jack Stevens, and Digital Construction Lead, Lyle Murphy, unpacked what’s changed on live projects: why clients are now prescribing 4D, how hybrid visuals are improving decision‑making, and how contractors can quickly build capability to meet demand.
4D has shifted from “nice to have” to client‑driven
In the last year, we’ve an important shift in how 4D modelling is viewed. Instead of Majenta introducing it as a value-added service on a project, now it’s the client who mentions it first – often as a core requirement.
“Over the last 12 months, 4D has definitely become more of a client requirement. We're actually seeing clients ask for it in their initial BIM documentation”
– Lyle Murphy, Majenta
This shift is due in part to a broader understanding and appreciation of the possibilities of 4D – thanks to its use on a number of high-profile projects over the last 12 to 24 months. As Lyle puts it – there’s been a wider education piece, and planners, contractors and clients are more confident that they understand how to extract value from 4D.
It’s not just about pretty visuals anymore
The first uses of 4D in engineering were a natural evolution from 3D modelling, adding temporal information from construction schedules to create a visual overview of the project. This could be played, paused and rewound to see how the site looked at any given moment. Now, though, the technology plays a less peripheral role.
“4D is not used for pretty pictures; it's a planning tool, it's a management tool, and it's there to ensure the programme is correct, the costs are correct...”
– Lyle Murphy, Majenta
By linking models to programmes to validate sequences and spot risks early, 4D serves a range of new use cases – health and safety, cost control, contractor onboarding – and the visual polish is a secondary consideration. Actionable insights and programme assurance are in the foreground.
Demand is rising for hybrid visualisations
As well as better understanding 4D’s capabilities, planners are more aware of its weaknesses. In the podcast, Jack gives a good example: a large public sector project in Glasgow where the initial 4D model was unable to capture the necessary detail across a vast site with multiple buildings under construction.
“It's hard to focus on key specific installation areas with a global 4D model. So we’re also utilising 3D visualisations for those zoomed-in areas to capture the really intricate parts.”
– Jack Stevens, Majenta
This provides a blueprint for other large-scale projects – use 4D models for planning, oversight and progress updates, combined with high-fidelity 3D animations to give the granular clarity needed for critical sequences. Or, deploy 4D on specific work packages such as MEP or envelope rather than attempting to capture whole-project sequences.
Energy is a key 4D growth area
Majenta’s work on 4D modelling of MEP at Sellafield is a good example of how 4D is well suited to the demands of complex energy sector projects – where on-time delivery, security and cost-efficiency are critical. At Sellafield, live, iterative 4D planning is deeply embedded in delivery, and it has already delivered tangible outcomes.
“With a project the scale of Sellafield, things are changing every minute of the day. We’re using 4D for health and safety, utilising it for weekly and monthly look aheads, planning subcontractor packages...”
– Lyle Murphy, Majenta
Lyle gives the example of over 2,000 issues identified across EC&I and pipework, ranging from unmodelled geometry to duplicate tasks or missing activities. The use of 4D enables rapid, focused programme and model corrections – reducing delays and rework.
ASTI and other frameworks are driving adoption
Sector adoption of 4D isn’t just an organic trend. Frameworks like ASTI, introduced by Ofgem to speed up the development of critical electricity transmission projects, are driving adoption, with transmission owners (TOs) such as SSEN Transmission already piloting 4D to facilitate collaboration.
“4D is going to be absolutely crucial for (ASTI), and it's been recognised by the clients themselves – they’ve prescribed the use of 4D on all projects within the framework.”
– Lyle Murphy, Majenta
This top-down endorsement promises to prove transformational for a sector where timely, standardised delivery is essential – creating a blueprint for consistency. And from a contractor’s perspective, clear deliverables from clients make digital alignment across IM, scanning, and 4D much easier.
Bridging the 4D capability and capacity gap
As Lyle and Jack point out, demand for 4D modelling and planning in the energy sector has grown rapidly, with 2025 a watershed year for the technology’s move from a gimmick to a must-have. For contractors, that presents a short-term challenge: gearing up to offer 4D is a commercial imperative, but sourcing and onboarding the right talent and experience takes time.
Majenta’s partnership model offers a solution – embedding specialist talent within client or contractor teams to boost 4D capability and capacity from day one. If you need to hit the ground running with 4D on an upcoming project or bid, get in touch with one of our team via the link below.
