Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) · International Standards
> Target audience: Project managers, design managers, construction managers, and contract/compliance personnel at overseas general contractors under central state-owned enterprises
> Note: This article does not fabricate standard numbers or monetary amounts. Where specific clauses, limits, or contract values are involved, the owner's tender documents, contracts, host-country regulations, and official publications shall prevail ("please refer to official documents/project-specific contract clauses").
Definition: Thermal power plant construction refers to the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) activities in which fuels such as coal, natural gas, fuel oil, and biomass are used as primary energy sources; chemical energy is converted into thermal energy through equipment such as boilers, gas turbines, or internal combustion engines; and thermal energy is then converted into electrical energy through steam turbine-generator sets (or gas-steam combined cycles). It encompasses supporting systems including fuel supply, ash and slag removal, chemical water treatment, circulating cooling, flue gas treatment, electrical transmission, control, and fire protection. Overseas EPC typically covers design (E), equipment procurement and supply (P), construction and commissioning (C), performance testing, and handover, and often extends to O&M training and spare parts supply.
Background: Overseas thermal power projects are typically governed simultaneously by three categories of rules: first, contractual and technical specifications (owner's tender documents, EPC contracts, performance guarantee clauses); second, Chinese standards/international standards/third-country standards (depending on owner preferences and financier requirements); and third, mandatory host-country regulations (environmental emissions, grid connection, fire protection, occupational health and safety, import and taxation). In Belt and Road Initiative projects, financing institutions (such as policy banks, commercial banks, and multilateral development banks) may also impose additional environmental and social safeguard requirements (e.g., environmental and social impact assessments, resettlement, biodiversity protection). Therefore, the "standards system" for thermal power construction is not a single code but rather a composite of contract—standards—regulations—financing requirements.
Scope of application: Applicable to overseas EPC/EPC+F/EPC+O&M for new-build, expansion, and retrofit projects involving coal-fired, gas-fired (including combined cycle), oil-fired, and biomass/waste co-firing power generation. Also applicable to upgrades of existing plants (desulfurization and denitrification retrofits, dust removal retrofits, DCS upgrades, unit capacity expansion). Not applicable to pure nuclear power or pure renewable energy (wind/PV) projects, though experience in grid connection, civil works, and HSE management may be partially borrowed.
The most common technical routes for overseas thermal power:
System boundary checklist (must be clearly defined in EPC pricing and design interfaces):
| System | Typical Interface | Common Disputes |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel supply | Off-site coal conveyor/gas pipeline to plant boundary | Who is responsible for off-site pipelines and metering stations |
| Cooling water | Intake, pump house, outfall | Intake/discharge permits, thermal discharge environmental compliance |
| Electrical transmission | Step-up substation to grid connection point | Grid connection agreement, dispatch rights |
| Environmental protection | Stack, CEMS, ash yard | Emission limits, comprehensive utilization of ash and slag |
| Control | DCS/SCADA | Communication protocols, cybersecurity |
| Civil works | Main powerhouse, stack, cooling tower | Geological conditions, seismic classification |
The core of design management on overseas projects is not "drawing" but standard selection and compliance demonstration. Recommended process:
1. Contract takes precedence: EPC contract technical annexes typically specify a "priority order": special contract clauses > owner's requirements > international standards > Chinese standards > local standards (or the reverse—must be confirmed clause by clause).
2. Standards comparison matrix: Establish a "Chinese standard—international standard—local standard" comparison matrix for key equipment (boilers, steam turbines, generators, transformers), flagging differences and alternative solutions.
3. Local approvals: Environmental, fire protection, occupational health, and grid connection require signatures from local engineers/agencies; local partners should be secured in advance.
4. Constructability: Overseas labor, machinery, and material supply vary significantly; design must account for local construction practices and logistics constraints.
Common standards systems (no fabricated numbers; systems listed only):
Key points for overseas thermal power equipment procurement:
Procurement risk checklist:
| Risk | Manifestation | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| Standards non-compliance | Equipment manufactured to Chinese standards, rejected by owner | Contract specifies standards, third-party inspection |
| Delivery delay | Port congestion, road height restrictions | Advance site survey, alternative routes |
| Exchange rate fluctuation | USD/local currency depreciation | Contract currency and price adjustment clauses |
| Tax disputes | Withholding tax, tariffs | Local tax advisors, clear contract provisions |
Characteristics of overseas construction: multinational labor, multilingual, multi-standard. Management key points:
Common risks in overseas thermal power EPC contracts:
Recommendation: During contract negotiations, strive for "change-in-law price adjustment," "extension for owner-caused delays," "clear performance test conditions," and "arbitration in a neutral venue for dispute resolution."
| Dimension | Chinese National Standards (GB/DL, etc.) | International Standards (IEC/ISO/ASME, etc.) | Local Standards |
|---|---|---|---|
| System characteristics | Comprehensive, oriented toward integrated design and construction | Oriented toward equipment and systems, highly universal | Mandatory, tied to approvals |
| Environmental emissions | Stringent ultra-low emission requirements | Varies by country, often references World Bank/IFC | Host-country regulations, may be stricter or looser |
| Grid connection | State Grid/Southern Grid guidelines | IEC/IEEE | Local grid codes |
| Fire protection | GB | NFPA/EN | Local fire regulations |
| Contract precedence | Often excluded or supplemented by contract | Often referenced by contract | Often a mandatory baseline |
| Application recommendation | For domestic design, equipment manufacturing | For international procurement, third-party inspection | For approvals, grid connection, environmental compliance |
Conclusion: Overseas projects cannot simply "apply Chinese standards" nor "adopt international standards wholesale." The contract should serve as the governing framework, establishing a closed loop of "standards comparison + gap analysis + alternative solutions + local approvals."
1. A coal-fired power station in Pakistan (publicly reported project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor): Adopts supercritical coal-fired units with FGD and SCR. The EPC contractor must simultaneously satisfy Chinese standards, Pakistani environmental regulations, and grid connection requirements. Public reports indicate that the project faced challenges during construction including security, logistics, and local approvals, and was advanced through localized labor and third-party inspection.
2. A coal-fired power station in Indonesia (publicly reported Belt and Road project): Located on the coast, requiring consideration of intake/discharge, thermal discharge environmental compliance, earthquakes, and typhoons. EPC contracts typically require performance guarantees (output, heat rate, emissions) along with O&M training. In public reports, such projects often adopt a model of Chinese equipment + local construction + international third-party inspection.
3. A gas-fired combined cycle power station in the Middle East (publicly reported project): Owners often require international standards (IEC/ASME/NFPA) along with local fire protection and grid connection codes. The EPC contractor must ensure equipment performance under high-temperature, dusty conditions and manage interfaces among multinational subcontractors. Public reports indicate that commissioning and performance testing are key milestones.
> Note: The above references only project types and characteristics from public reports, without specific amounts or undisclosed details; for specific projects, please refer to official publications and contracts.
Q1: For overseas thermal power projects, should Chinese standards or international standards be used?
A: It depends on the contract. Contract technical annexes typically specify the priority order. If the contract is unclear, the recommended baseline is "satisfying local mandatory regulations + owner acceptance," with international standards for key equipment, and Chinese standards as reference for civil works and installation—subject to owner/third-party approval.
Q2: What if performance tests fail?
A: First, review the contract's performance guarantee clauses and correction curves. Common remedies include: rectification, re-testing, payment of liquidated damages, and extension of the guarantee period. It is recommended to conduct "pre-tests" before commissioning to identify deviations early.
Q3: What if local environmental emission limits are stricter than China's ultra-low emission standards?
A: Higher-efficiency FGD, SCR, and dust removal processes must be selected at the design stage, or "technically feasible + economically reasonable" limits must be negotiated with the owner. If the contract is already fixed, retrofit costs and schedule impacts must be assessed.
Q4: Equipment is shipped from China but local customs clearance is slow—how to avoid this?
A: Prepare customs documents in advance, select experienced freight forwarders, and establish communication mechanisms with the owner/local agent; for large equipment, consider "phased delivery + on-site warehousing."
Q5: In overseas project HSE management, what is most easily overlooked?
A: Cultural differences among local laborers, language barriers, and emergency medical resources. It is recommended to assign bilingual HSE managers, establish agreements with local doctors/clinics, and conduct regular drills.
1. Contract stage: Confirm clause by clause the "standards priority order," "performance guarantees," "change in law," "force majeure," and "dispute resolution"; avoid ambiguous wording.
2. Design stage: Establish a "standards comparison matrix," conduct gap analysis for key equipment and systems, and secure local approval pathways in advance.
3. Procurement stage: Require third-party inspection for key equipment (e.g., SGS, BV, TÜV, as per contract), and clearly specify certification and market access requirements.
4. Construction stage: HSE and quality are "veto items"; establish ITP and permit systems; localized labor requires training and assessment.
5. Commissioning stage: Conduct pre-tests in advance; performance test conditions (fuel, cooling water temperature, grid dispatch) must be consistent with the contract.
6. Risk control: Establish a "risk register" updated monthly; set price adjustment mechanisms for exchange rates, tax rates, and changes in law.
7. Document management: All approvals, inspections, and test records must be archived bilingually to facilitate claims and handover.
8. Local relations: Engage local legal, tax, and environmental consultants; maintain communication with communities and government to reduce non-technical risks.
> Final reminder: There is no "universal template" for overseas thermal power projects—only a dynamic balance of "contract + regulations + standards + financing requirements." All specific clauses, limits, and amounts shall be subject to official documents and contracts.