The VO Chidambaranar Port Authority in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, have designated 500 acres of land to establish a green hydrogen hub. An agreement has been signed with NGEL (a subsidiary of NTPC) for the installation of a green hydrogen or derivative production facility.
Sarbananda Sonowal, union minister of ports, shipping, and waterways, revealed that a proposal for a grant to develop common infrastructure supporting green hydrogen projects has been submitted to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). The ministry anticipates investments totalling ₹1,00,00 crore in upcoming green hydrogen projects within the port.
At VO Chidambarnar Port, ACME Cleantech Solutions has already leased approximately 224 acres of land for the generation of green hydrogen and green ammonia, with expected investments exceeding ₹52,000 crore. Additionally, the Kandla port in Gujarat (Deendayal Port Authority) is establishing green hydrogen storage facilities and has received significant responses from thirteen prospective developers.
As reported by businessline, the Ministry has identified three ports – Paradip Port (Odisha), Deendayal Port (Gujarat), and VO Chidambaranar Port (Tamil Nadu), to set up green hydrogen bunkers for storage, handling, and generation. A landlord model will be adopted across these ports, with the port authorities owning the land and private companies developing common infrastructure. Private players will handle the modalities of hydrogen storage, production, and sale.
Hydrogen, known for its clean energy properties, is liquefied at a cryogenic temperature of -253°C, allowing it to be stored and transported as liquid hydrogen due to an 800-fold reduction in its gaseous volume during liquefaction. Recognised as a key solution to environmental challenges in clean transportation, hydrogen offers benefits such as the reduction of greenhouse gases, city pollution, and dependence on fossil fuels.
