IndigoVision

Zambian Electricity Supply Company LTD (ZESCO) has completed a major security project using IndigoVision’s IP video security solution. Working in conjunction with local partner, Security Integrated Systems, and regional distributor, Reditron, the security solution covers a geographical area of more than 1200km protecting assets that include Victoria Falls power station and the Zambian National Control Centre.

The majority of ZESCO’s sites are in remote locations, but are easily accessible to the public and previously used armed guards 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.

The scope of the project identified a requirement for over 400 cameras, with many being in remote geographical areas with limited network connectivity. A decisive factor in IndigoVision being selected was due to their expertise in delivering high quality video over low bandwidth. Reliability, flexibility and responsiveness were also key client requirements met by IndigoVision.

Security Integrated Systems installed a hybrid of IndigoVision IP cameras and IndigoVision IP encoders, converting analog PTZ cameras to IP. Four monitoring stations at each remote power station and three monitoring stations at the National Control Centre were installed using IndigoVision’s Control Center software to give easy access to every camera in the installation.

The installation, designed by Security Integrated Systems, 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.

Felix Chifwaila, Project Engineer for ZESCO, said: "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."