By Arun Kumar
Washington, Oct 25 (IANS) The US-India Business Council (USIBC) Monday launches its first annual Green India Executive Mission, with a delegation headed for India representing some of the world’s leading clean energy and water infrastructure companies.

Led by Robert Nelson, senior partner with the renowned firm of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, and member of the USIBC Board of Directors, the Green India Executive Mission to New Delhi is in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

“Our delegation is enthusiastic to play a role in deploying the latest and best clean technologies in India - to help India meet its growing energy needs in a sustainable manner,” said Ted Jones, USIBC Director for Policy Advocacy.

Among the technology companies in the Delegation are AES Solar; Astonfield Renewable Resources Ltd., Azure Power, CH2M Hill, Easy Energy Systems, Eaton Corporation, General Electric Company, Hines Corporation; Honeywell, SPX Corporation; Synergics, United Technologies Corporation, and Weston Solutions Ltd.

The delegation also includes leading investment banks and finance firms energy consulting and professional services companies.

Even with efficiency improvements, India’s demand for power is forecast to more than quadruple by 2030, making India the third largest energy consumer in the world after the United States and China, the advocacy group seeking stronger India-US commercial ties noted.

India’s need for water infrastructure is equally acute. India is heavily dependent on the monsoon for water supply - 90 percent of all river flows occur in a four-month period. Whereas the US stores up to 5,000 cc of water per capita and China stores up to 1,000 cc, India currently stores just 500 cc of water per capita.

“India has made important domestic commitments to deploy low-carbon-technologies and improve the existing water infrastructure,” said Jones. “Our companies are here this week to better understand these new incentives, and gauge the commercial opportunities.”

India aims to increase efficiency in the water sector by 20 percent as well as make improvements in the overall storage and distribution of water throughout the system.

“Obviously these commitments can be met only by broad private-sector participation,” Jones observed. “The key is for India to develop and sustain a robust market for clean technologies and water infrastructure.”