Pre-Copenhagen Executive Mission Matches U.S. Technology to Indian Needs

USIBC Eager to Partner with India in Renewable Energy and Water Infrastructure
NEW DELHI, India--(Business Wire)--
The U.S.-India Business Council launched today the first annual Green India
Executive Mission, with an executive delegation representing some of the world`s
leading clean energy and water infrastructure companies. Led by Mr. Robert
Nelson, senior partner with the renowned firm of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld,
and Member of the U.S.-India Business Council Board of Directors, the Green
India Executive Mission is in partnership with the Confederation of Indian
Industry.

"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, Director for Policy Advocacy at the
U.S.-India Business Council.

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.

India`s need for water infrastructure is equally acute. India is heavily
dependent on the monsoon for water supply - 90% of all river flows occur in a
four-month period. Whereas the U.S. 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."

The National Action Plan details plans to deploy 15,000 megawatts of renewable
power by 2012; 20,000 megawatts of solar power by 2020; saving 10,000 megawatts
through energy efficiency by 2012; and increasing nuclear capacity to 40,000 MW
by 2032. India aims to increase efficiency in the water sector by 20% 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."

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.

The USIBC Delegation will meet with key Government of India officials in the
Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, Ministry of Power, and the Ministry of Urban
Development and Poverty Alleviation, among others. Recognizing the important
role of State Governments in the deployment of low-carbon technologies and
improvements in water infrastructure, the Mission will host in New Delhi senior
government officials from select progressive States, including Rajasthan, Tamil
Nadu, West Bengal and Gujarat. On the morning of Friday, October 30th, the
Mission Delegates will meet with their Indian industry counterparts in sessions
aimed at exploring partnerships between U.S. and Indian companies in the clean
energy and clean water sectors.

With this Mission, USIBC is fulfilling its commitment to deepen U.S.-India trade
and investment in clean technologies made at the launch, one year ago, of its
standing Green India Initiative.

U.S.-India cooperation in energy and infrastructure has steadily increased ever
since India and the United States launched Next Steps in Strategic Partnership
(NSSP) in 2001. The deepening of this collaboration will yield political and
economic benefits that support the mutual interests of India and the United
States in achieving energy security and reducing carbon emissions.

The U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC), formed in 1975 at the request of the
Government of India and the U.S. Government to deepen trade and strengthen
commercial ties, is hosted under the aegis of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The
U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world`s largest business federation representing
more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and
region.

www.usibc.com

U.S.-India Business Council
Ted Jones, 202-463-5321
tjones@uschamber.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009