Sino-French Experts Dialogue on Energy AI and Energy Economy

In March 2026, China's 15th Five-Year Plan entered its implementation phase. The AI-driven digital economy, energy digitization, and new energy construction are set to create new scenarios, new species, and new business models. Meanwhile, sudden crises in major global energy supply regions have introduced severe uncertainties, prompting China and the world to join hands in addressing challenges and collaboratively resolving issues related to energy and supply chain security. Against this backdrop, a dialogue featuring Chinese and French experts in energy, AI, and sustainable development was held in Beijing.

On March 24, energy specialists from institutions including the French Commission for Atomic&Alternative Energy(CEA), Électricité de France (EDF), the France-China Electricity Association (PFCE), EY, Fractal Energy Technology, and Capgemini visited ToGeek Tech, a leading Chinese company in energy digitization. They engaged in discussions with Chinese energy technology experts on the application prospects of artificial intelligence (AI) in the Energy Internet, the energy economy, and the new energy industry. They also held discussions on topics such as the comparison of electricity market mechanisms and digitalization needs between China and France, as well as the integration of renewable energy. Qin Gang, Director General of the International City Strategic Development&Cooperation Center (ICS) and Senior Fellow at the International Information Institute of the State Information Center, delivered a welcome address. He co-moderated the related discussions alongside Li Shiji, COO of ToGeek Tech.

ToGeek Tech is a leading Chinese company in energy digitization and energy AI. It provides digital energy solutions for large energy enterprises, cities, and technology parks, and manages and operates urban new energy infrastructure. By leveraging AI to lead energy technology, the company optimizes urban energy structures, improves efficiency, enhances asset quality, increases operational revenue, and promotes sustainable urban development.

Électricité de France (EDF) is a global leader in low-carbon energy. Having operated in the Chinese market for 40 years, EDF is one of the largest foreign-invested enterprises in China's power generation sector. The company holds assets in nuclear, thermal, and new energy in China, providing advanced energy solutions and technologies to Chinese users.

The French Commission for Atomic&Alternative Energy (CEA) is a key research institution in France focused on energy and nuclear technology. Its work spans four main areas: low-carbon energy, information and health technologies, large-scale experimental facilities, and defense and global security. As a policy think tank on energy, the CEA has published France's nuclear energy technology roadmap, which outlines an implementation plan for nuclear energy to contribute 80% of France's carbon neutrality goals.

Director General Qin Gang noted that cities represent the most significant scenario for Chinese-style modernization. China's urban population has reached 1 billion, surpassing the combined population of the European Union and the United States. The vision for Chinese cities encompasses innovation, livability, resilience, sustainability, intelligence, and cultural richness. New energy is poised to become the primary engine for global sustainable development.

Leveraging the opportunities presented by the 15th Five-Year Plan, ICS is promoting innovative practices in energy integration for cities undergoing traditional energy transformation and cities with advantages in new energy. It aims to facilitate the development of green pilot zones and demonstration areas for the energy economy. ICS hopes to collaborate with French energy enterprises and European technology companies, working alongside Chinese energy AI companies represented by ToGeek Tech, to build application scenarios and contribute to global energy digitization and sustainable urban-rural development.

Mr. Qin Gang, Director General of ICS and Senior Fellow at the International Information Institute of  State Information Center, and Ms. Burgun Françoise, Project manager at the French  Commission for Atomic &Alternative Energy   (CEA). Photo by ICS

About ICS

With mission of "international vision, strategic leadership, city cooperation, and sustainable development," ICS(International City Strategic Development&Cooperation Center) supports global cities in implementing “global development, security, civilization, and governance initiatives”. It is a Chinese-characteristic new think tank with international organization functions.

ICS was established in Beijing in 2020 and was approved for establishment in Hong Kong by the Registrar of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in 2025. It transitioned from an academic research institution to an international organization-type think tank, with offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, New York, London, and Johannesburg.

ICS envisions a modernized people's city development with a focus on "innovation-driven, smart empowerment, ecological friendliness, resilience protection, poetic habitation, and cultural mutual learning," thereby pioneering a new domain of "global city studies" and constructing globalized, modernized cities, supporting the construction of international consumption center，international cultural center, international innovation center and international exchange center.

The ICS Advisory Committee and Council consist of 100 prominent mayors around the world, international figures, scholars, entrepreneurs, and artists. The governing bodies are the Council and the Secretariat; the research institution is the Academic Committee.