The time to invest in renewable energy for India is now

John Pontin Co-Founder & Trustee of The Converging World a founding member of the Initiative business leadership team at Business West and a hugely respected figure in Bristol, SW and UK working on climate action sets out his immediate thoughts following the announcements by the Indian Government at COP 26 in Glasgow earlier this week

India's decision which was announced this week at COP 26 to take until 2070 when it expects to achieve its net zero carbon grid at a first glance seems disappointing news. But it should be a spur to the whole world that this third biggest carbon emitter could be a great opportunity to encourage investment in Indian clean energy technology where good returns are available, as my charitable fund has realised since it installed two wind generators - Suzlon 2x1.5MWs - in 2008, to test the business model.

During this period JPT, through its sister fund, The Converging World (TCW), has bought and sold eight large turbines and today, has kept 4.2MWs. This is the base on which we intend to build a portfolio of clean energy assets capable of being an Aim listed group one day.

Everything is in place to realise this ambition. TCW has all the moving parts, from an expert Indian team led by Sydney Lobo, who until recently was, for ten years, TATA Power's leader and is now heading CW Renewable Energy Ltd (CWRE) the 'proof of concept' company, established in 2013. Our off takers are blue chip corporates which require more clean energy from this initiative.

Both solar and wind assets are attractive investments, and the Indian market is enormous: 70% of grid generation is by fossil energy and it's possible to contribute to changing this for the better. CWRE is poised to support any interested investor through its competent team. Funds requiring more information are invited to make contact.