Canada's second biggest pension fund, Caisse, plans to open its first Indian office in New Delhi to scout for investments in South Asia.

The $248bn fund, which invests on behalf of Québec public pension and insurance plans, cited the "scope and quality of investment opportunities” in the country.

Caisse chief executive Michael Sabia added that the fund would invest $150m in renewable energy projects in India.

Anita Marangoly George has been hired as managing director of CDPQ India and will start in April. She previously worked for the World Bank’s energy department.

The move comes as a growing number of Canadian pension schemes look to expanding into new territories and investing directly in assets such as infrastructure and real estate.

The Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board, Canada's biggest public pension fund, set up an office in Mumbai last year.

At the end of 2015, Caisse’s net assets totalled $248bn, compared to $159bn in 2011, an increase of $89bn over four years.

The fund invests in equities, fixed income, private equity, infrastructure and real estate, globally.