At the 50th International Convention on Quality Control Circles  (ICQCC) held recently in Taiwan, China, more than 5,000 quality management professionals from 16 countries and regions gathered for the event. After multiple rounds of selection and evaluation, 3 teams from CGN Edra—the Jimah ZDF Team, Jimah Mecha Team, and KLPP OptimaX Team—achieved outstanding results and won the Gold Award, the highest honor of the competition. This remarkable achievement once again demonstrated CGN’s strong reputation for safety and quality in the international market.

▲Jimah Zero Delay Force（ZDF）Team、NS – Jimah Mecha Team、KLPP-OptimaX Team

Established in 1976, the International Convention on Quality Control Circles (ICQCC)—jointly initiated by quality associations from 14 countries and regions, including the China Association for Quality, Singapore Productivity Association, Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers, and Korean Standards Association—is widely recognized as the largest, most comprehensive and influential international event in the field of quality management. Known as the “Quality Olympics” ，ICQCC promotes quality improvement, teamwork and the exchange of best practices across nations.

Jimah ZDF Team: Redefining Overhaul Efficiency Through Vertical Mobility Innovation

The Jimah Zero Delay Force—also known as the Jimah Zero-Delay Special Task Force—adheres to the principle of “precision in action, zero delay in execution.”Using nearly seven quality management tools, including PDCA cycle, fishbone diagram, relation diagram, and L-shaped matrix, the team reviewed overhaul duration and cost data from the past four years, identifying key factors affecting boiler maintenance schedules. The team proposed replacing traditional traditional full scaffolding with the AWP (Aerial Work Platform) method for boiler internal maintenance. This method was successfully applied during the 2024 major overhaul, saving 4 days of downtime and generating over RMB 9 million in additional power revenue, while significantly reducing confined-space operational risks. The Jimah Plant subsequently standardized the AWP workflow and improved its Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). As the first case in Malaysia to apply aerial work platforms for internal boiler maintenance, the practice has been recognized by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), Malaysia’s national grid operator。

Jimah Mecha Team: Improving the Low-Pressure Turbine Bypass Valve Steam Internal Leakage

Starting from recurring operational issues and the defect list, the team selected steam internal leakage in the low-pressure turbine bypass valve as the improvement theme, using the L-shaped matrix, 5W1H, fishbone diagram, relation diagram, and fault tree analysis (FTA)to identify root causes. They proposed enhancing the sealing design of the valve seat and valve plug, and jointly conducted design reviews with the manufacturer. The valve plug’s sealing surface was upgraded with a protective alloy（stellite-coated）sleeve to prevent erosion by wet steam during valve opening. During the 2024 overhaul, the plant installed the new valve, reducing outlet temperature from 160°C to below 60°C, maintaining stable operation for more than 10 months, lowering heat consumption, and saving RMB 650,000 in maintenance costs. Based on this practice, the team standardized the bypass valve design and established a standardized installation control procedure。

KLPP OptimaX Team: Optimizing Auxiliary Power Consumption at KLPP Power Plant

In response to changes in KLPP’s dispatching mode, the OptimaX Team analyzed the root causes of high auxiliary power consumption during shutdown periods using the 5WHY method and fishbone diagram. Through five years of continuous research, the team implemented a series of lean measures, including: replacement of low-power devices, standby operation strategies, optimization of lighting systems, dynamic bus switching. These measures significantly reduced auxiliary power consumption during shutdowns, lowering overall operational costs. In 2023, the plant saved a total of 8.7 million kWh, equivalent to approximately RMB 5.5 million in electricity expenses.

CGN Energy International has consistently promoted CGN’s quality culture across its overseas operations. Ng Seong Wai, Quality Manager at the Jimah Power Plant, said: “My one-year assignment with the Safety and Production Department at CGNEI gave me a much deeper understanding of CGN’s quality culture and philosophy. There, I received systematic training in quality management. After returning to the plant, I was determined to put this knowledge into practice by introducing QC tools to Jimah, inspiring greater innovation within the team. Winning two Gold Awards at our very first ICQCC participation has greatly strengthened my confidence, and I am truly grateful for the support and guidance from headquarters.”

The ICQCC Gold Awards reflect international recognition of CGNEI’s long-term commitment to quality improvement across its overseas operations. They also demonstrate how CGN’s core principle—Safety First, Quality Foremost, Pursuing Excellence—has taken root globally. Looking ahead, CGNEI will continue benchmarking against advanced international quality management standards, deepening the quality culture across all overseas units, and driving continuous improvement. These efforts will provide strong support for the high-quality, sustainable development of CGN’s international business