Regulations on Emergency Response and Investigation of Power Safety Incidents

Regulations on Emergency Disposal and Investigation of Electric Power Safety Accidents

(Promulgated by Order No. 599 of the State Council of the People's Republic of China on 7 7, 2011; Amended by Order No. 845 of the State Council of the People's Republic of China on 30 8, 2026)

Chapter 1: General Provisions

FirstThis regulation is enacted to strengthen emergency response to power safety accidents, standardize accident investigation and handling, control, mitigate, and eliminate damage from such accidents, and ensure the safe and stable operation of the power system and reliable power supply.

SecondThis Regulation defines a power safety incident as an event occurring during power generation or grid operation that affects the safe and stable operation of the power system or disrupts normal power supply.

ThirdBased on the degree to which a power safety incident (hereinafter referred to as an "incident") affects the safe and stable operation of the power system or the normal supply of electricity, incidents are classified into four categories: especially major, major, relatively large, and general. The criteria for classifying incident levels are listed in the appendix to these Regulations. Where adjustments are needed to certain items in the classification criteria, the proposal shall be submitted by the competent energy department of the State Council and approved by the State Council.

For areas supplied by a single transmission line or substation, the accident classification criteria for grid load reduction or power outages caused by failures of that line or substation shall be established separately by the energy competent authority of the State Council and submitted to the State Council for approval.

Article 4The State Council's energy department shall strengthen supervision of power safety, establish and improve systems for emergency response and investigation handling in accordance with the law, and organize or participate in accident investigations and handling.

The competent department of the State Council for energy and other relevant departments of the State Council, as well as local people's governments and their relevant departments, shall organize, coordinate, and participate in emergency response to accidents in accordance with prescribed authority and procedures.

Article 5Power enterprises, electricity users, and other grid-connected entities (hereinafter referred to as "other grid-connected entities") shall comply with power safety management regulations, adhere to unified dispatching, strictly implement relevant standards and technical specifications, and implement accident prevention measures during the planning, construction, and operation of the power system. They shall also strengthen hazard identification and investigation to prevent and avoid accidents.

Power dispatching institutions shall strictly carry out grid operation control in accordance with relevant laws, administrative regulations, and the provisions of the State Council's energy competent department.

Important power users designated by relevant local government departments at or above the county level shall configure their own emergency power supplies in accordance with regulations issued by the energy authority of the State Council and strengthen safety management for their use.

Article 6After an incident, relevant units and individuals must promptly and accurately report the situation in accordance with regulations, carry out emergency response measures to prevent escalation, and mitigate damage. Power enterprises and other grid-connected entities shall restore power generation, grid operations, and normal power supply as soon as possible.

Relevant people's governments and their departments shall provide necessary support and guarantees for emergency response to accidents.

Article 7No unit or individual may obstruct or interfere with accident reporting, emergency response, or lawful investigation and handling.

Chapter 2: Incident Reporting

Article 8After an incident occurs, personnel at the scene must immediately report to operation staff at the power plant or substation (converter station), power dispatching agency duty officers, or the on-site person in charge of their unit. Upon receiving a report, these personnel must immediately notify the higher-level power dispatching agency and the head of their unit. Once notified, the head of the unit must promptly report to the local branch of the State Council's energy regulatory authority (hereinafter referred to as the dispatched energy regulatory agency) and the emergency management department of the people's government at or above the county level. If a thermal power plant incident affects normal heat supply, a report must also be made to the heating administration. If the incident involves dam safety at a hydroelectric plant or station, a simultaneous report must be submitted to the competent water administrative department or river basin management authority with jurisdiction.

Provincial-level or higher power dispatching institutions shall immediately report accidents occurring within their dispatch jurisdiction to the State Council's energy department or its dispatched energy regulatory agency.

The accident-occurrence unit, power dispatching agency, and relevant personnel shall not delay reporting, conceal, or falsify accident information.

Article 9Upon receiving a report of an incident, the dispatched energy regulatory authority shall immediately verify the relevant details and report to the State Council's energy competent department. If the incident results in power outages for electricity supply users, it must also notify the local people's governments at or above the county level where the incident occurred.

For major or exceptionally serious accidents, the State Council's energy department shall immediately report to the State Council upon receiving the accident report and notify relevant departments, including the State Council's emergency management agency.

Article 10The accident report shall include the following:

(I) Time, location (area), unit involved, and brief description of the accident;

(II) Known damage to power equipment and facilities; number of out-of-service generating units; values for grid load shedding or reduced generation capacity; and outage scope.

(III) Preliminary determination of accident causes;

(4) Measures taken after the incident, grid operating mode, power generation equipment status, and accident control situation.

(V) Other circumstances that should be reported.

Incident reports can initially include known details, with comprehensive information submitted later. Any new developments following the initial report must be reported promptly.

Article 11After an incident, relevant units and personnel shall properly safeguard the accident scene and related materials such as work logs, work tickets, and operation tickets. They must promptly preserve records including fault recording diagrams, power dispatch data, generation equipment operating data, and transmission and distribution equipment operating data. Once the accident investigation team is established, all relevant materials and records shall be transferred to the team for investigation.

When emergency measures such as rescuing personnel or restoring power generation, grid operation, and electricity supply require altering the accident scene or moving electrical equipment, you must mark the area, draw a site sketch, properly preserve important traces and physical evidence, and create a written record.

No unit or individual may intentionally tamper with the accident scene, forge, conceal, or destroy relevant evidence.

Chapter 3: Emergency Response to Accidents

Article 12Power enterprises shall, in accordance with relevant state regulations, develop accident emergency response plans for their units and conduct regular drills. These plans must be filed with the dispatched energy regulatory agency and copied to the emergency management department of the local people's government at or above the county level.

The State Council's energy department and its dispatched energy regulatory agencies shall guide power enterprises in strengthening their accident emergency rescue systems and ensuring investments in materials, equipment, and other resources.

Article 13Following an incident, power enterprises, electricity users, and other grid-connected entities must immediately implement emergency measures to contain the scope of the incident and prevent a systemic grid collapse. If the incident poses risks to personnel or equipment safety, operating staff may, in accordance with relevant regulations, immediately take emergency actions such as shutting down generating units and transmission/distribution facilities.

If an accident damages power equipment or facilities, the relevant power enterprises and other grid-connected entities shall immediately organize emergency repairs.

Article 14Based on the specifics of an incident, the power dispatching organization may issue dispatch orders to start or shut down generating units, adjust active and reactive power output of generating units, modify grid operating modes, or revise dispatch schedules. Power enterprises, electricity users, and other grid-connected entities must comply with such orders.

If an incident threatens grid stability or causes widespread power outages, the dispatch center may implement necessary measures such as load shedding, system separation, and disconnection of generation equipment.

If a power accident causes a complete blackout in any area, the grid dispatching agency shall immediately establish a power restoration plan. Where necessary, it shall activate generating units capable of independent startup and islanded operation within the system or dispatch external power sources to restore grid operations as quickly as possible.

Article 15To restore grid operations and power supply, prioritize restoring power to critical power plant auxiliary supplies, key transmission and transformation equipment, and the main grid backbone. Prioritize resuming electricity supply to essential power users, major cities, and key regions.

Article 16The State Council's competent energy department shall, in accordance with the Emergency Response Law of the People's Republic of China and the National Overall Plan for Emergency Response, prepare the national contingency plan for large-scale power outages and submit it to the State Council for approval.

Local people's governments shall organize the development of emergency plans for major power outages within their administrative areas in accordance with laws, administrative regulations, and the national major power outage emergency plan.

The emergency plan for large-scale power outages shall specify the emergency command system and responsibilities, all response measures, and detailed provisions for personnel, funding, materials, technology, communications, and other emergency support.

Article 17In the event of a widespread power outage, the energy department of the State Council, other relevant departments of the State Council, local governments and their departments, power enterprises, and other grid-connected entities shall activate emergency response measures in accordance with regulations such as the Emergency Plan for Widespread Power Outages. They shall establish an emergency command structure to restore grid operations and power supply as quickly as possible and prevent secondary disasters.

Article 18If the incident causes widespread power outages, local people's governments and relevant departments shall immediately organize and carry out the following emergency response measures:

(1) Strengthen security for key facilities critical to national livelihood, national security, and public safety in areas experiencing power outages; prevent disruptions to social order and maintain social stability.

(II) Promptly address all hazards caused by power outages;

(3) In the event of a major casualty incident or when emergency evacuation and sheltering of trapped persons are required, promptly organize rescue, evacuation, and sheltering operations.

(4) Strengthen traffic command and guidance in power outage areas, and ensure railway, civil aviation transport, and communication support.

(5) Organize emergency production and deployment of supplies to ensure availability of materials for grid restoration and basic living necessities for residents.

Article 19If an accident causes a power outage for critical power users, they must immediately activate their own emergency power sources in accordance with relevant technical requirements. If the emergency power sources fail to operate, the grid enterprise shall provide necessary support and assurance.

If a power outage occurs in crowded venues such as subways, airports, high-rise buildings, shopping malls, theaters, or sports arenas due to an accident, immediately activate emergency lighting and organize orderly evacuation.

Article 20Emergency command agencies, the State Council's energy competent department, or dispatched energy regulatory institutions shall, in accordance with relevant regulations, uniformly and accurately publish information on the scope of the accident impact, progress of response efforts, and estimated power restoration time promptly.

Chapter 4: Accident Investigation and Handling

Article 21Major accidents shall be investigated by a team organized by the State Council or a department authorized by it.

Major accidents shall be investigated by an accident investigation team organized by the competent department of energy under the State Council.

Major and general accidents shall be investigated by investigation teams organized by the dispatched energy regulatory agencies. If deemed necessary, the competent department of the State Council for energy may organize an investigation team to investigate major accidents.

For general incidents that do not cause power outages to supply users, the dispatched energy regulatory agency may also entrust the incident-occurring unit to investigate and handle the matter.

Article 22Based on the specifics of the incident, the accident investigation team shall be composed of representatives from the relevant people's government and its energy, emergency management departments, other departments with responsibilities for safety production supervision and administration, and fire rescue agencies. The public security organ and the people's procuratorate may be invited to participate. The investigation team shall promptly report the incident details to the supervisory authority and invite it to join the investigation.

To support the accident investigation, the investigation team may engage relevant experts to assist.

The head of the accident investigation team is designated by the agency that organizes the investigation.

Article 23The accident investigation team shall conduct the investigation in accordance with national regulations and submit the accident investigation report to the authority that organized the investigation within the following time limits:

(I) The investigation period for extra-large and major accidents shall be 60 days. Under special circumstances, upon approval by the authority organizing the accident investigation, the period may be extended appropriately, but the extension shall not exceed 60 days.

(2) The investigation period for major and general accidents shall be 45 days. Under special circumstances, upon approval by the authority organizing the accident investigation, the period may be extended appropriately, but the extension shall not exceed 45 days.

The investigation period for accidents is calculated from the date of occurrence.

Article 24The accident investigation report shall include the following:

(I) Basic information on the involved units and details of the incident occurrence and response;

(II) Direct economic losses caused by the accident and its impact on grid operations and reliable power supply.

(3) Causes and nature of the incident;

(4) Emergency response to the accident and restoration of power production and grid operations;

(5) Determination of accident liability, proposed measures for the responsible units, a list of public officials subject to accountability, and recommended actions for other responsible individuals.

(VI) Accident Prevention and Remedial Measures.

The accident investigation report shall include relevant evidence materials and technical analysis reports. Members of the accident investigation team shall sign the accident investigation report.

Article 25The accident investigation is concluded once the report is approved by the authority that organized the investigation. For general accidents delegated to the accident-occurrence unit for investigation, the report must be approved by the dispatched energy regulatory agency. Accident investigation reports shall be made public in a timely manner as required by law.

Relevant authorities shall impose penalties on the units and individuals responsible for the accident in accordance with the law, and administer disciplinary actions against public officials held accountable for the incident.

The responsible unit shall take action against personnel accountable for the accident and promptly report the outcome to the authority that organized the accident investigation.

Article 26The responsible unit and relevant personnel shall seriously learn from the accident, implement preventive measures and corrective actions, and prevent recurrence.

The competent department of the State Council for energy or its dispatched energy regulatory agency shall, within one year after the approval of the accident investigation report, organize an assessment of the implementation of accident prevention and corrective measures and promptly publish the assessment results to the public.

Chapter 5: Legal Liability

Article 27The primary person in charge of the unit where the incident occurred shall be fined by the competent energy department of the State Council or its dispatched energy regulatory agency an amount ranging from 60% to 100% of their total income from the previous year. If they are public officials, disciplinary action shall be taken in accordance with the law; if a crime is constituted, criminal liability shall be pursued according to law:

(1) Failure to immediately organize accident response;

(2) Failure to report an accident in a timely manner;

(3) Leaving their post without authorization during accident investigation and handling.

Article 28If the unit where an accident occurred and its relevant personnel commit any of the following acts, the State Council's energy regulatory authority or its dispatched energy regulatory agency shall impose a fine on the unit ranging from 100 to 500 million yuan; impose a fine on the main person in charge, directly responsible supervisors, and other directly responsible individuals ranging from 60% to 100% of their annual income from the previous year. Public officials shall also be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the law. If the act constitutes a violation of public security administration, the public security organ shall impose administrative penalties in accordance with the law. If it constitutes a crime, criminal responsibility shall be investigated in accordance with the law:

(1) Falsely reporting or concealing an accident;

(2) Falsifying or intentionally destroying the accident scene;

(3) Transferring or concealing funds or assets, or destroying relevant evidence or documentation;

(4) Refusing to undergo an investigation or refusing to provide relevant information or documents.

(5) Providing false testimony during accident investigations or instructing others to do so.

(f) Fleeing after an accident occurs.

Article 29For the entity responsible for the accident, the State Council's energy department or its dispatched energy regulatory agency shall impose a fine in accordance with the following provisions:

(1) For a general accident, impose a fine of not less than 30 yuan and not more than 100 yuan;

(2) For a major accident, a fine of not less than 100 yuan and not more than 200 yuan shall be imposed;

(3) For major accidents, a fine of not less than 200 yuan and not more than 1000 yuan shall be imposed;

(4) In the event of an exceptionally major accident, a fine of not less than 1000 yuan and not more than 2000 yuan shall be imposed.

In cases where the circumstances of an incident are particularly severe and the impact is especially egregious, the competent energy department of the State Council or its dispatched energy regulatory agency may impose a fine on the responsible entity ranging from 2 to 5 times the amount specified in the preceding paragraph.

Article 30If the primary person in charge of a responsible entity fails to fulfill their safety production management duties as required by law, resulting in an accident, they shall be fined by the State Council's energy competent department or its dispatched energy regulatory agency according to the following provisions. If they are public officials, disciplinary action shall also be taken in accordance with the law; if a crime is constituted, criminal responsibility shall be pursued in accordance with the law.

(1) For a general accident, impose a fine of 40% of their annual income from the previous year;

(2) For a major accident, impose a fine of 60% of the individual's income from the previous year;

(3) For a major accident, impose a fine of 80% of the individual's income from the previous year.

(4) In the event of an exceptionally major accident, a fine equal to 100% of the individual's income from the preceding year shall be imposed.

If other responsible persons and safety production management personnel of the entity responsible for the accident fail to fulfill their statutory safety production management duties, resulting in the accident, they shall be fined by the competent energy department of the State Council or its dispatched energy regulatory agency an amount ranging from 20% to 50% of their annual income from the previous year.

Article 31If the main person in charge of a unit where an accident occurred receives removal from office or higher disciplinary action, or criminal punishment, they shall not serve as the main person in charge of any production or business operation unit for 5 years from the date of the disciplinary action or the completion of the criminal sentence.

Article 32If the State Council's energy competent department, its dispatched energy regulatory agencies, relevant local people's governments, or other departments responsible for safety production supervision and administration engage in any of the following acts, responsible leaders and directly responsible personnel shall be given disciplinary actions in accordance with the law; if such conduct constitutes a crime, criminal responsibility shall be pursued in accordance with the law:

(1) Failure to immediately organize accident response;

(2) Failure to report, or concealing or falsifying, an accident in a timely manner.

(3) Obstructing or interfering with accident investigations.

(4) Providing false testimony during an accident investigation or instructing others to do so.

Article 33If a power dispatching agency engages in any of the following acts, responsible leaders and directly accountable personnel shall be disciplined in accordance with the law; if their conduct constitutes a crime, criminal responsibility shall be pursued according to law:

(I) Failure to promptly address the incident, resulting in its escalation.

(2) Failure to take timely measures to restore power supply;

(3) Failure to report, or concealing or falsifying an accident.

(4) Failing to cooperate with the accident investigation, refusing to provide relevant information or documents, committing perjury, instructing others to commit perjury, or destroying relevant evidence or documentation.

Article 34Personnel participating in accident investigations who commit any of the following acts during the investigation shall be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the law; if a crime is constituted, criminal responsibility shall be pursued in accordance with the law:

(1) Failing to take responsibility for accident investigation work, resulting in major oversights;

(2) Shielding or protecting personnel responsible for an accident, or using the incident to retaliate.

Chapter 6 Supplementary Provisions

Article 35When an accident covered by these Regulations results in casualties or direct economic losses, and the accident level determined under these Regulations differs from that determined under the "Regulations on the Reporting and Investigation of Production Safety Accidents," the higher accident level shall apply for investigation and handling. However, if the accident causes casualties and constitutes a major or exceptionally major accident as defined in the "Regulations on the Reporting and Investigation of Production Safety Accidents," it shall be investigated and handled in accordance with those Regulations.

An accident involving damage to power generation or transmission and transformation equipment during electricity production or grid operation that results in direct economic loss but does not affect the safe and stable operation of the power system or the normal supply of electricity shall be investigated and handled by the energy competent department of the State Council or its dispatched energy regulatory agency, in accordance with the "Regulations on Reporting and Investigation of Production Safety Accidents," for major accidents, larger-scale accidents, and general accidents.

Article 36For matters not covered by this regulation regarding accident reporting and investigation, the provisions of relevant laws and administrative regulations, such as the "Regulations on the Reporting and Investigation of Production Safety Accidents," shall apply.

Article 37Emergency response and investigation of nuclear accidents at nuclear power plants shall be carried out in accordance with the "Regulations on Emergency Management of Nuclear Accidents at Nuclear Power Plants."

Article 38This Regulation shall take effect on 2027/1/1.

Attachment: Standards for Classifying Levels of Electric Power Safety Incidents

Attachment