Zambian utility provider covers vast land with networked surveillance

Zambian Electricity Supply Company (ZESCO) has completed a major security project using IP video security solution. Working with local partner, Security Integrated Systems (SIS), and regional distributor, Reditron, 400 IndigoVision IP cameras were installed to cover a geographical area of more than 1,200 km, protecting assets that include Victoria Falls power station and the Zambian National Control Center (NCC).

Most ZESCO sites are in remote locations, but are easily accessible to the public. Previously armed guards were deployed to protect vital utility assets. ZESCO's main objective was to minimize the use of armed guards and link all the sub-sites to a centralized control room to create an integrated security system. Since many cameras were located in remote geographical areas with limited network connectivity, Zesco selected IndigoVision for its expertise in delivering quality video over low bandwidth, "The reliability of IndigoVision's solution in such a large-scale project and flexibility in relation to changes in the scope were decisive factors for us," said Felix Chifwaila, Project Engineer for ZESCO.

SIS installed a hybrid of IndigoVision IP cameras and encoders. Four monitoring stations at each remote power station and three monitoring stations at the NCC were installed using IndigoVision's VMS to give access to every camera.

The IP solution has dramatically improved security and operations. ZESCO now has a complete overview of major power plant components and integrated security has directly addressed problems, such as the theft of copper cables, oil and vehicles, as well as damage to property and equipment, all of which represented financial losses and threats to electricity supply.