Objectives

The primary objective of the tender is to replace the existing Plant Information System (PIS) at Medupi Power Station, addressing issues related to system unavailability and ensuring reliable, long-term storage and access to plant data. The project aims to decommission the current GE and Siemens PIS, procure a reliable single replacement system, engineer, install, and commission the new PIS to support plant monitoring, performance analysis, and remote access.

Scope

The scope includes:

• Decommissioning of existing GE and Siemens PIS systems.
• Procurement and engineering of a new, reliable, and integrated Plant Information System.
• Installation and commissioning of all hardware, software, and associated infrastructure.
• Development of system interfaces with existing control systems and third-party applications.
• Provision of diagnostic, diagnostic, and diagnostic workstations, along with necessary materials and supervision.
• Training, testing, and handover of a fully operational PIS compliant with statutory and operational standards.

Technical Requirements

The new PIS must:

• Provide near real-time and historical plant data, including alarms, SOE, control variables, and operator inputs.
• Store all plant data on two fully redundant, physically separated data servers with automatic synchronization and hot-swappable SSDs for five years of offline data.
• Support a minimum of 150 simultaneous client connections via web and standalone applications.
• Interface with existing control systems (e.g., ALSPA DCS Series 6, SPPA-T3000) and third-party applications via OPC-UA and SQL.
• Ensure system security, including cybersecurity standards, access controls, and data integrity.
• Be compliant with relevant standards, guidelines, and codes, including Eskom and international standards.
• Support lifecycle management, including data archiving, reporting, and system health monitoring.
• Operate on a station LAN with fiber optic cabling, redundant firewall, and no single points of failure.

Skills Requirements

The contractor must demonstrate:

• Expertise in control system integration, data management, and cybersecurity.
• Experience in engineering, installing, and commissioning large-scale plant information systems in power station environments.
• Proficiency in software development, system architecture, and interface design (OPC-UA, SQL, ODBC).
• Capability to provide detailed engineering, testing, and validation of the system.
• Ability to deliver comprehensive training to plant personnel and support ongoing maintenance.
• Adherence to health, safety, and environmental standards, including risk management and safety training.
• Knowledge of Eskom standards, international best practices, and lifecycle management principles.