"Sarbananda Sonowal Calls on Ports to Ready Themselves for Green Hydrogen Bunkering Facilities"

The VO Chidambaranar Port Authority in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, has unveiled plans to allocate 500 acres of land for the establishment of a green hydrogen hub. In a significant move towards sustainable energy, the port authority has also entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NGEL, a subsidiary of NTPC, to facilitate the installation of a green hydrogen or derivative production facility.

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, shared insights into the development after a mid-term review of the Ministry's activities. A proposal seeking a grant for the development of common infrastructure to support green hydrogen projects has been submitted to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

Officials estimate investments totaling ₹100,000 crore in the upcoming days across various green hydrogen projects earmarked within the port. Notably, around 224 acres of land in the VO Chidambarnar Port have already been leased to ACME Cleantech Solutions for the generation of green hydrogen and green ammonia, with expected investments exceeding ₹52,000 crore.

In addition to the initiatives in Tuticorin, the Kandla port in Gujarat, also known as the Deendayal Port Authority, is gearing up for the establishment of green hydrogen storage facilities. Minister Sonowal reported "prominent responses" from 13 prospective developers against global Expressions of Interest (EoIs). He added that over 7 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of green ammonia production capacity has been offered by interested parties, addressing both domestic and international demand.

The Ministry has identified three ports for the establishment of green hydrogen bunkers, covering storage, handling, and generation facilities. These ports include Paradip Port in Odisha, Deendayal Port in Gujarat, and VO Chidambaranar Port in Tamil Nadu. A landlord model will be adopted across these ports, with port authorities retaining ownership of the land while private companies develop common infrastructure.

Private players will oversee the modalities of hydrogen storage, production, and sale, marking a significant stride towards the integration of green hydrogen in the country's maritime infrastructure.

HBL