Geng Yanbo, mayor of Datong in Shanxi province, met with Michel Crochon, Schneider Electric’s executive vice-president of the energy business, in Yungang Jianguo Hotel on March 10 to discuss a joint effort to build Datong into a new energy city.

Schneider Electric, with a history of over 170 years, is a global specialist in energy management. The company specializes in energy and infrastructure, industrial process control, data centers and networks, and building automation.

The company showed interest in Datong after the city won the opportunity in September 2011 to hold the 2013 Solar Decathlon. With the event as a turning point, Geng said he hopes to transform Datong into a city mainly dependent on green, renewable and low-carbon energy.

He also invited Schneider Electric to join hands to boost the development of Datong’s new energy industry. Crochon, impressed by the city’s ancient culture and pioneering spirit, said Schneider will bring advanced concepts and technologies by sponsoring the Solar Decathlon and cooperating with Datong to promote the development of its solar industry.