NIIF Backed Ayana Renewable Power becomes India’s first company to earn top ESG Rating Globally
[Bengaluru, 03rd November 2023] – Ayana Renewable Power, India’s leading Independent Power Producer (IPP) backed by NIIF (National Investment and Infrastructure Fund), BII (British International Investment), and GGEF (Green Growth Equity Fund), has been ranked 1st in Asia and among the top 3 companies globally in the renewable energy sector by ISS ESG, setting a new benchmark for ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) standards in the sector.
Setting the Global Context: India’s Energy Transition and Investment Perspective
India, as the world’s third-largest energy consumer1, is swiftly transitioning towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. With a commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, India aims to meet 50 percent of its power generation capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030. This monumental effort requires an estimated investment of approximately $15 trillion between 2022 and 2070, equivalent to an average annual spend of around
$300 billion2. Global investors are evaluating options in an increasingly conscious world where every metric ton of carbon emissions counts.
Ayana: Leading the Renewable Energy Charge
Ayana is one of the leading renewable energy producers in India, with a current portfolio of with close to 5 GW of solar, wind, and hybrid renewable power. The company has been at the forefront of introducing Round-the-Clock (RTC) solutions,
“Our unwavering commitment to ESG as our core focus, and the stringent ESG focus of our investors, NIIF, BII, GGEF from the very beginning, has enabled us to consistently maintain transparency in all ESG-related disclosures, follow global gold standards of governance, and meticulously adhere to proactive ESG measures going beyond compliance in all our operations. It is heartening to see this exceptional rating, which renews and further cements our resolve towards ESG commitments and clean energy transition” commented Shivanand Nimbargi, MD and CEO of Ayana Renewable Power. “This rating shows that Indian companies are not only creating climate impact but also setting global benchmarks on ESG” he further added.
Vinod Giri, Managing Partner – Direct Investments at NIIF said, “Driven by our deep-rooted dedication to leading the way in the adoption of best-in-class Environmental and Social (E&S) standards, we are immensely proud to partner with Ayana as they set industry benchmarks in ESG, not just in India but globally. This distinction underscores both Ayana’s dedication to excellence and NIIF’s unwavering focus on promoting robust ESG practices across our investments.”
Manav Bansal, MD and Head of India, British International Investment, commented: “Since establishing Ayana, we are proud of its progress as a leading renewable energy company that is delivering affordable and accessible clean energy across India. This rating is a significant achievement that reflects Ayana’s dedication to integrating ESG principles into its core business practices.”
The ISS ESG rating provides relevant and forward-looking ESG performance assessments for global institutional investors. Drawing from a pool of about 700 standards and industry-specific indicators, ISS ESG applies approximately
100 environmental, social, and governance-related indicators for each of its ratings. Ayana was
the only Indian company to be rated A (-), apart from the other two European renewable energy firms.
Double Recognition
Ayana’s commitment to ESG and sustainability has been doubly recognized, with the recent award of the Mahatma Award for Excellence in ESG and Sustainability. The company’s ongoing dedication is not only setting new benchmarks for renewable energy companies in India but is also making a significant contribution to global sustainability efforts.
1. India Energy Outlook 2021: IEA
2. Deloitte Analysis for the report “India’s Energy Transition Pathways- A net-zero perspective. September 2023.