Infrastructure Architecture Transformation at Saudi Unified Power Company: A Utilities Case Study

Infrastructure Architecture Transformation at Saudi Unified Power Company: A Utilities Case Study

Case Study Background

Saudi Unified Power Company (SUPCO), headquartered in Riyadh, is one of the Middle East's largest utility providers, serving over 9 million customers across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. With 42,000 employees and an installed capacity of 85GW, SUPCO operates as a vertically integrated utility responsible for generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity.
Eng. Abdullah Al-Quraishi, CEO of SUPCO, recently unveiled "Vision 2035: Powering Saudi Transformation" – an ambitious strategic roadmap focusing on sustainable energy transition, operational excellence, and digital transformation. "The utility sector faces unprecedented challenges," emphasizes Eng. Al-Quraishi. "With electricity demand projected to grow at 7% annually and the energy transition requiring smart grid capabilities, we need infrastructure that supports operational technology, IoT at massive scale, and cybersecurity for critical infrastructure."
Eng. Mohammed Al-Zahrani, CTO at SUPCO, has identified several critical infrastructure challenges:
  • Legacy SCADA systems requiring modernization for smart grid capabilities
  • Critical infrastructure protection requirements for power generation and transmission systems
  • Need for OT/IT convergence while maintaining operational technology security
  • IoT deployment at massive scale for smart meters, grid sensors, and renewable energy integration
  • Edge computing requirements for real-time grid management and optimization
  • Cybersecurity concerns around industrial control systems (ICS) and SCADA networks
  • Data center infrastructure supporting mission-critical operations with zero tolerance for downtime
"The energy transition demands infrastructure transformation," explains Eng. Al-Zahrani. "We need to modernize SCADA systems, deploy IoT at unprecedented scale, implement edge computing for smart grids, and protect critical infrastructure from sophisticated cyber threats—all while maintaining 24/7 operations."
To address these challenges, SUPCO has decided to embark on a comprehensive infrastructure transformation initiative.

Implementation Challenge

As the implementation consultant engaged to support this strategic initiative, you must address the following questions that incorporate both technical and organizational considerations specific to the utility sector in Saudi Arabia.

Case Study Questions

  1. OT/IT Convergence Architecture
      2. SUPCO needs to integrate operational technology (SCADA, ICS) with IT systems while maintaining security and reliability. How would you design an architecture that enables OT/IT convergence? Include network segmentation, industrial DMZ design, data integration patterns, and security controls for industrial protocols.
  1. SCADA System Modernization
      2. Legacy SCADA systems control critical power infrastructure. How would you approach modernizing SCADA architecture while ensuring zero disruption to operations? Include migration strategy, redundancy design, real-time data requirements, and integration with modern analytics platforms.
  1. Smart Grid Edge Computing
      2. Smart grids require real-time decision-making at the edge. How would you design edge computing architecture supporting distributed energy resources, demand response, and grid optimization? Include edge node specifications, data processing strategies, and integration with central control systems.
  1. IoT Architecture at Utility Scale
      2. SUPCO plans to deploy millions of smart meters and thousands of grid sensors. How would you design IoT architecture that handles massive device scale, ensures security, manages device lifecycle, and processes streaming data? Include connectivity patterns, device management, and data ingestion strategies.
  1. Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity
      2. Utility infrastructure is a high-value target for nation-state actors. How would you design cybersecurity architecture protecting generation, transmission, and distribution systems? Include ICS security controls, network segmentation, threat detection for industrial protocols, and incident response for operational technology.
  1. High Availability Data Center Architecture
      2. Power utility operations require 24/7 availability. How would you design data center architecture with zero tolerance for downtime? Include redundancy strategies, power and cooling systems, disaster recovery, and business continuity planning for Tier IV availability.
  1. Renewable Energy Integration Platform
      2. SUPCO is integrating solar and wind farms requiring different management systems. How would you design infrastructure architecture that integrates diverse renewable energy sources, handles variable generation, and supports grid balancing? Include real-time forecasting, storage systems integration, and grid stability management.
  1. Network Infrastructure for Critical Operations
      2. Utility operations span vast geographic areas with critical timing requirements. How would you design network infrastructure supporting SCADA communications, corporate systems, and customer services? Include microwave networks, fiber connectivity, redundancy, latency requirements, and network monitoring.
  1. Industrial Control System (ICS) Modernization
      2. Generation plants use aging ICS and DCS systems. How would you approach ICS modernization while maintaining safety and reliability? Include standards compliance (IEC 62443), security hardening, backup systems, and migration strategies for running plants.
  1. Cloud Strategy for Utilities
      2. SUPCO wants to leverage cloud for non-critical systems while keeping critical infrastructure on-premises. How would you design hybrid cloud architecture appropriate for utilities? Include workload placement criteria, cloud security, data classification, and compliance with Saudi regulations for critical infrastructure.

Implementation Context

When developing your responses, consider these additional factors:
  • SUPCO operates in a regulated environment with oversight from the Electricity & Cogeneration Regulatory Authority
  • Critical infrastructure protection is a national security concern
  • The company must maintain 24/7 operations with extremely high reliability (>99.99%)
  • Saudi Vision 2030 emphasizes renewable energy with targets of 41GW from solar
  • Cybersecurity threats to utilities are increasing in sophistication
  • The utility must balance innovation with operational safety and reliability
Your implementation approach should prioritize operational safety and reliability while enabling modernization, ensuring that infrastructure architecture delivers both innovation and meets stringent utility industry requirements for critical infrastructure.

Evaluation Criteria

Students will be evaluated on:
  • Understanding of OT/IT convergence and industrial control systems
  • Critical infrastructure cybersecurity architecture
  • Practical approaches to SCADA modernization without operational disruption
  • IoT and edge computing architecture at utility scale
  • Appreciation of utility industry context and regulatory requirements
  • High availability and disaster recovery design for critical infrastructure
###