LONGi chair advocates global cooperation for photovoltaic technology and energy equity at Davos

Zhong Baoshen, chairman of LONGi, has used the WEF Electricity Industry CEOs Meeting to discuss the major challenges facing the power industry and the growing importance of the photovoltaic (PV) industry in the global energy supply chain.  

Zhong attended Wednesday’s meeting along with Christian Bruch, president and CEO of Siemens Energy; Gurdeep Singh, chairman and managing director of the National Thermal Power Corporation of India; Andrés Gluski, CEO of AES; Sophie Hermans, the Netherlands’ deputy prime minister and minister for climate policy and green growth; and Alexandre Silveira, Brazil’s minister for mines and energy of Brazil. The meeting also explored how the PV industry can better contribute to global energy equity.

Zhong Baoshen, chairman of LONGi, at the Congress Centre in Davos.

Zhong said that policy support in some regions of the world has brought new growth opportunities for the photovoltaic PV industry. As a leading enterprise in the industry, LONGi has actively expanded into emerging markets in Africa, Asia and Latin America to meet the growing local electricity demand. LONGi is also committed to driving the clean energy transition and enhancing energy affordability. The company continuously reduces the cost of photovoltaic power generation and enhances competitiveness through technological innovation, large-scale production and cost optimization, he added.

Regarding acceleration of the clean energy transition and efforts to make energy more affordable, Zhong said the PV industry must provide more economical, sustainable and customized solutions for the global energy system based on the specific needs of different markets. To achieve this goal, he called for strengthening global cooperation among multiple stakeholders, especially in the areas of policy, funding and technological innovation. Governments can promote investment in clean energy by providing long-term and stable policy support, subsidies and incentives, especially in regions where electricity demand is growing rapidly. At the same time, international financial institutions, investors and companies should also increase their financial support for clean energy projects to ensure the smooth progress of technology research and development, infrastructure construction and project deployment.

As one of the core technologies in the global energy transition, the continuous development and innovation of photovoltaics will become a driving force for the energy transition. Zhong called for global cooperation, policy support and technological innovation to enable the photovoltaic industry to play a significant role in accelerating the clean energy transition and enhancing energy affordability, helping the world achieve a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.

Zhong Baoshen also attended the Just Transition Alliance meeting as a representative of Chinese PV enterprises. At the January 21 meeting, he focused on introducing LONGi's practices and experiences in advancing short-term and long-term decarbonization strategies in the photovoltaic industry, and in balancing corporate environmental goals with fair access to green energy for workers, consumers, and small and medium-sized enterprises during this process.

Zhong said that, as a technology company dedicated to clean energy, LONGi had put forward the concept of "Benevolent Economics" as early as 2021. First, LONGi advocates "Solar for Solar—manufacturing PV products with clean energy," which is an environmentally friendly, zero-carbon approach to photovoltaics. Second, LONGi's values are "Reliable, Value-added, and Fulfillment". Companies should do what is beneficial to humanity and the planet, while also taking into account the interests of customers, employees and other stakeholders, he added. Only then can a company achieve long-term success. Lastly, "Let differences be harmonized by light". LONGi strives to enhance the cost-effectiveness of PV energy, making it a globally inclusive energy source that can address development imbalances and achieve a green power supply that is accessible and beneficial to everyone.

In recent years, LONGi has launched the "Green Supply Chain Decarbonization Initiative", enhancing carbon management awareness and the capabilities of its upstream and downstream enterprises, while promoting energy conservation and various emission reduction actions. In terms of global cooperation, LONGi became a global partner of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 2023, reaching cooperation in the areas of climate action, energy equity and green transition. The partnership aims to jointly promote global energy equity and build a future where everyone has access to affordable clean energy.

"The green transition is not only about climate goals, but also about inclusive social development,” said Zhong.

“We believe that by expanding the coverage of clean energy and promoting the construction of green infrastructure, the private sector can become a core force in the global just transition and the Just Transition Alliance.”

He added that LONGi looks forward to deepening its cooperation with the World Economic Forum to jointly advance a low-carbon, inclusive, and sustainable future.

Professor Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum, with Chinese business representatives at Davos 2025.

As an indispensable force in the global economy, Chinese enterprises attracted significant attention at this year's WEF Annual Meeting of the New Champions. As part of proceedings, Professor Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum, met with Chinese business representatives, including Zhong.