The Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System is a mission-critical platform that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, enabling the monitoring and control of the national electricity network from EEC's Control Centre. The system provides operators with a comprehensive real-time view of the power system, similar to a pilot's cockpit, allowing them to monitor network conditions, respond to incidents, and make informed operational decisions from a centralized interface.

Through the SCADA system, EEC is able to supervise and control the transmission and distribution network, from the 400kV transmission system and associated substations down to the 11kV distribution feeders. The system provides real-time information on power flows, electrical load demand, generation output, imported power, equipment status, network alarms, and system performance across the country.

Real-Time Network Monitoring and Control

The SCADA system enables operators to:

• Monitor the operational status of transmission and distribution equipment in real time.
• Detect network disturbances and alarms immediately.
• Perform remote switching operations at selected substations and on selected feeders.
• Monitor power flows, voltage levels, and system loading.
• Track generation, imports, and overall system demand.
• Improve response times to outages and network incidents.
• Support system restoration activities during faults and emergencies.

While significant progress has been made in network visibility, certain distribution network faults may still require field investigation to determine the exact cause of the interruption. In such instances, information reported by customers remains valuable in assisting maintenance teams to locate and resolve faults more efficiently.

For safety and operational integrity, some equipment operations cannot be performed remotely. Severe faults may require technicians to inspect and reset equipment locally or patrol network sections before restoration can be completed.

Customers are therefore encouraged to continue reporting power outages, damaged infrastructure, fallen conductors, vehicle collisions involving poles, or any other hazardous situations through EEC customer service channels. This information assists in ensuring the safe and timely restoration of supply.

Outage Management System (OMS)

The Outage Management System (OMS) is an integrated component of EEC's SCADA ecosystem. The OMS enhances the management of customer-reported faults, outage response, field dispatching, and operational reporting, significantly improving customer service and network reliability.

The OMS provides a centralized platform that links customer information, network assets, operational data, and outage management activities into a single environment.

Key Features and Benefits

• Centralized Fault Reporting and Tracking - All customer fault reports are captured and managed within the system, eliminating reliance on manual paper-based processes. Customer calls received through customer service centres are automatically routed and assigned to the appropriate operational teams for action. The integration of the system with the *8888# platform allows customers to directly log outage complaints on the OMS, allowing for enhanced response times. Each reported outage or fault is assigned a unique reference number, enabling customers and EEC personnel to track the progress of the incident from reporting through to resolution.
• Enhanced Dispatch and Restoration Management - The OMS provides dispatchers with real-time visibility of outages, affected customers, and crew activities. This enables faster prioritization and deployment of field resources, improving restoration times and operational efficiency.
• Asset and Incident History - All outage and fault-related information is stored within the system, creating a valuable historical database for network analysis. Engineers can analyse recurring faults, equipment performance, and network trends to support maintenance planning and infrastructure investment decisions.

Reporting and Business Intelligence

The SCADA-OMS platforms provide extensive reporting and analytical capabilities that support operational, engineering, and management decision-making.

Key reporting functions include:

• Measurement of network reliability indices and outage performance.
• Tracking of customer interruption durations and restoration times.
• Analysis of feeder and substation performance.
• Monitoring operational efficiency across regions and service centres.
• Regulatory reporting and compliance support.

Supporting EEC's Digital Transformation

The SCADA system is a key component of EEC's digital transformation journey. It has enhanced network visibility, improved operational efficiency, and strengthened customer service delivery by providing a data-driven foundation for the continued modernization of Eswatini's electricity network. Today, the SCADA system serves as a key enabler of a reliable, safe, and responsive power system, supporting EEC's commitment to delivering quality electricity services to the nation.