Power plant safe evacuation of 100 people in 10 minutes

On April 3, 2024, at 7 AM, the Sun Ba Phase II combined cycle power plant was operating as smoothly. Siemens Energy teams, together with clients and partners, were preparing for a key milestone: the first ignition of the 9000HL gas turbine.

However, just one hour later, at 8:00 AM, the region was rocked by a powerful earthquake, unleashing intense ground motion and plunging the site into a high-stress emergency situation.

This outcome was the result of consistent safety training, emergency response training and preparation.

“We used to think the drills were repetitive,” recalls engineer Da Yun. “But today, they proved essential.” Regular exercises meant that emergency numbers, evacuation routes, and command procedures were familiar to everyone – as in every Siemens Energy power plant site.

In addition to drills, the project team and site partners established a joint safety inspection group to maintain a “zero harm” mindset every day. This group maintains safety as a continuous, shared responsibility. Every worker feels empowered to act. Team members instruct non-compliant colleagues to leave the site until they wear proper protective equipment, reinforcing non-negotiable safety rules.

This collaborative safety culture mirrors the broader Sun Ba II project approach, in which Siemens Energy, CTCI, and Sun Ba Power worked as one team to deliver an advanced HL‑class gas‑fired power plant under challenging timelines and site conditions.

Within four hours of the earthquake, the team completed a full inspection of all equipment,  including HL class gas turbine, auxiliary systems, and balance of plant components designed and built to rigorous seismic requirements.

On the same day, just a few hours later, the 9000HL gas turbine was successfully ignited on schedule, demonstrating both the robustness of the plant’s design and the effectiveness of Siemens Energy’s safety and operational protocols. Engineer Yu-Jen transformed how the team perceives safety on site through this experience: “When I first joined, I thought the drills were just a formality. But now I understand – they’re what helped us stay calm and act quickly.”