Safety Risk Management in China’s Power Engineering Construction: Insights and Countermeasures from the 14th Five-Year Plan

Power engineering construction serves as the cornerstone of modern social development. Against the backdrop of new power system development, this study employs field investigations, case analysis, and expert discussions to conduct an in-depth analysis of the current status, existing problems, and characteristics of safety risk control in China’s power engineering construction during the 14th Five-Year Plan period. Through systematic analysis of 59 accident cases, 66 distinct causes are identified across 14 categories. Chi-squared testing quantitatively determines the top three risk factors: hollowing out of construction units’ own workforce (χ2 = 10.22), deficiencies in risk classification and hierarchical implementation (χ2 = 9.0), and inadequate hazard identification (χ2 = 6.25). Through brainstorming and expert discussions, 11 critical risks in China’s power engineering construction have been identified, and a set of countermeasures has been formulated. These include nine enterprise-level initiatives such as deepening engineering procurement construction management, improving training systems, optimizing bidding methods, and implementing management principles, along with four regulatory measures targeting the National Energy Administration of China and its regulatory agencies. This study innovates by combining quantitative chi-squared analysis with expert-derived countermeasures, offering a model for transitioning economies. While the sample size imposes limitations on generalizability, this research can significantly improve the intrinsic safety management level of power construction enterprises in China and provides valuable reference experience for similar transitioning countries developing energy infrastructure.