Afghanistan Engineering Support Program: LT-WO-70 Amendment 4 Task 1 & 2 Tarakhil SCADA Decision Memorandum

The program's scope involved determining a solution to the existing problems and reducing the complexity of the software control system. Initial assessments conducted by Tetra Tech's field team in March 2014 identified several deficiencies in the plant related to the SCADA/HMI systems. These issues required action to fully restore plant operations to as-built specifications and ensure the long-term longevity of the plant. The Tarakhil SCADA Decision Memorandum, created by POWER Engineers, outlined the existing problems at both a brief and detailed level, presenting options to resolve each issue. A face-to-face meeting was held in Kabul, Afghanistan, to discuss coordination details with the new Commercialization 2 contractor, Phoenix. The meeting included USAID, Phoenix's TTPP engineering team, and Tetra Tech's field install team. The meeting facilitated a working relationship between Phoenix's engineering team and Tetra Tech's field install team, resulting in the decision to completely replace and upgrade the SCADA software. The decision to pursue Option 2, which involved upgrading the entire SCADA software control system and reducing its complexity, was selected due to its ability to address the existing problems and provide a more reliable and maintainable system. The upgrade process was planned to affect only one power block at a time, leaving 70MW of generation capability in reserve at all times. This approach allowed the idle power block to be upgraded during the winter operating season. The Tarakhil SCADA Decision Memorandum outlined the existing problems at the TTPP, including faulty cylinder exhaust temperature indication, SCADA misconfiguration on Block B, insufficient software licenses, and obsolete SCADA software. The document presented two options for resolving the SCADA problems: Option 1, which involved refreshing the hardware and software and connecting and testing operability, and Option 2, which involved replacing the SCADA architecture with centralized servers, virtualized for easier maintenance and reliability. The POWER team presented a PowerPoint brief and a decisional memo to USAID and DABS on September 10, 2014, outlining the two options for resolving the SCADA problems. USAID indicated a preference for the "re-design" option, which involved upgrading the entire SCADA software control system and reducing its complexity. The decision to pursue Option 2 was based on its ability to address the existing problems and provide a more reliable and maintainable system. The SCADA upgrade process was planned to affect only one power block at a time, leaving 70MW of generation capability in reserve at all times. This approach allowed the idle power block to be upgraded during the winter operating season. The upgrade process was expected to be completed within a limited timeframe, with the goal of restoring the plant's operations to as-built specifications and ensuring the long-term longevity of the plant.