TIANJIN -- French utility giant GDF SUEZ recently signed an agreement to build two refrigeration centers in north China's Tianjin municipality, said an official with the company.

According to the agreement, GDF SUEZ will spend 1 billion yuan ($153 million) to build the refrigeration centers in Tianjin's Yujiapu financial district, said Frederic Martin, deputy executive president of GDF SUEZ energy services, on Monday.

The company's refrigeration centers, which will largely operate at night, should be able to reduce their energy usage by 30 to 35 percent, said Martin.

Covering an area of 3.86 million square meters, the Yujiapu financial district aims to become the world's biggest financial district within the next ten years. The district will serve as a center for financial institutions and information services.