According to recent reports, the Green Hydrogen project at VOC Port Tuticorin has entered a significant phase, signifying a pivotal development in the region’s energy landscape. The port authorities have leased approximately 225 acres of their land to ACME Clean Tech Solutions, a private company, with the aim of spearheading green hydrogen and green ammonia production. This venture is poised to attract substantial investments, estimated at Rs 52,000 crores.
Remarkably, VOC Port Tuticorin has earned the distinction of being the first port in India to embark on such an ambitious endeavor. The move underscores the port’s proactive approach towards embracing sustainable energy solutions and aligning with the global shift towards greener technologies.
Furthermore, the VOC port authorities have allocated an additional 10 acres of land to ReNew Power, further enhancing the region’s commitment to renewable energy initiatives. As of now, VO Chidambarnar Port stands as the sole port in the contry to have leased land for green hydrogen projects, setting a pioneering precedent for others to follow.
This initiative resonates with the vision articulated by the former Port Chairman, who currently serves as the Union Ports Secretary, T.K. Ramachandran. He emphasized the need for Tuticorin Port to take a leadership role in embracing cutting-edge technologies, notably pointing out the historical omission of petroleum infrastructure development in the 1970s.
Notably, Tuticorin Port has previously faced delays in infrastructure projects, including the long-anticipated Outer Harbor project and the third container terminal. However, with the commencement of the green hydrogen project, the port has effectively asserted its determination to become a trailblazer in sustainable energy solutions.
The initiative has garnered significant attention from the private sector, with a total of twenty expressions of interest (EOIs) received. These EOIs underscore the private sector’s keen interet in participating in and contributing to green hydrogen projects in major ports across the country. Remarkably, fifteen of these expressions of interest have been directed toward Kandla Port.
The Ports Ministry, in collaboration with private sector entities, is actively working to enhance infrastructure within Gujarat Ports, reinforcing the region’s strategic importance in the development of sustainable energy solutions.
Moreover, the green hydrogen project planned for Kandla Port is poised to surpass the capacity of the one proposed at Tuticorin Port. An expansive 26,000 acres of land have been allocated for this ambitious project, underscoring the scale of commitment to green hydrogen initiatives.
The government’s proactive stance towards developing green hydrogen hubs at major ports has been met with robust enthusiasm from the private sector. According to reports, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways has received over 20 expressions of interest (EOIs) from firms eager o participate in green hydrogen-related initiatives. These encompass a wide spectrum of activities, including hydrogen generation, storage, bunkering, and refueling projects.
Particularly noteworthy is the overwhelming interest expressed by more than 15 entities in Deendayal Port in Kandla. The allocation of nearly 26,000 acres of land for green hydrogen projects at this port underscores the substantial scope and ambition of the national green hydrogen endeavor.
Image source: ET