India's First Port-Based Green Hydrogen Pilot Project Launched at VOC Port

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal has inaugurated India's first port-based Green Hydrogen Pilot Project at the V.O. Chidambaranar Port, marking a significant step in the country's clean energy transition. The pilot facility, built at a cost of ₹3.87 crore, will generate green hydrogen to power streetlights and an electric vehicle charging station in the port colony. This launch aims to position VOC Port as a key green bunkering hub in south India, in line with the proposed Coastal Green Shipping Corridor between Kandla and Tuticorin.

Key Takeaways:

• The 10 Nm3/hr pilot facility was built at a cost of ₹3.87 crore and will generate green hydrogen to power streetlights and an electric vehicle charging station in the port colony.
• VOC Port has become the first port in the country to produce green hydrogen.
• The launch aligns with the proposed Coastal Green Shipping Corridor between Kandla and Tuticorin, aiming to position VOC Port as a key green bunkering hub in south India.
• The Minister also laid the foundation for a pilot Green Methanol Bunkering and Refuelling Facility of 750 m3 capacity at a cost of ₹35.34 crore.
• Additional projects launched include a 400 KW rooftop solar power plant, a ₹24.5 crore link conveyor connecting Coal Jetty-I to the port stack yard, and a 6 MW wind farm.
• Tamil Nadu's three major ports—Chennai, Kamarajar, and VOC—have seen transformative growth under Sagarmala, with 98 projects worth ₹93,715 crore taken up in the past 11 years.
• The ports have attracted more than ₹16,000 crore of investment for modernisation and capacity enhancement through Sagarmala.
• The Ministry has adopted various initiatives to strengthen shipping and port sectors with green energy, innovation, and self-reliance.
• The event also witnessed MoUs between VOC Port and IPRCL for rail connectivity to the Outer Harbour project, and with NTPC for implementing green mobility initiatives at the Port.

Statistics:

• The 10 Nm3/hr pilot facility was built at a cost of ₹3.87 crore.
• ₹35.34 crore has been allocated for a 750 m3 capacity Green Methanol Bunkering and Refuelling Facility.
• ₹24.5 crore has been invested in a link conveyor connecting Coal Jetty-I to the port stack yard.
• VOC Port's rooftop solar capacity has increased to 1.04 MW, the highest among Indian ports.
• ₹16,000 crore has been invested in Tamil Nadu's three major ports for modernisation and capacity enhancement through Sagarmala.
• 98 projects worth ₹93,715 crore have been taken up in the past 11 years under Sagarmala.
• ₹3.37 crore has been allocated for a 3.37 km four-lane road.

Sources:

• "V.O. Chidambaranar Port to be Hub for Green Bunkering in South India with Commissioning of India's First Port-Based Green Hydrogen Pilot Project". India Infrastructure.
• [No other sources were mentioned in the original text.]