RAJKOT: The central government-run Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) at Kandla has joined India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission by mooting a sprawling renewable park for the production and sale of this fast-emerging clean fuel.
DPA has identified 26,000 acres of land for this energy park and plans to invest Rs 715 crore to create common infrastructure facilities for private players looking to invest in green hydrogen production.
The port trust has received expressions of interest (EOI) from 10 private companies for the production, storage, and sale of green hydrogen and green ammonia.
Talking to TOI, SK Mehta, DPA chairman said, “The high level of interest by the private players demonstrates the confidence among market players in the potential of green hydrogen and green ammonia. The project also displays the attractiveness of Kandla as a strategic location development and commercialization of this fuel.”
Mehta said the port would create additional infrastructure for the import and exort of this gas.
Green hydrogen is produced by splitting water into two hydrogen and oxygen. It uses electrolysis powered by renewable energy like solar or wind to complete the process.
The national mission is aimed at becoming energy sufficient by 2047 and net zero carbon emissions by 2070 and green hydrogen is touted to be a viable alternative for its success.
There are several applications of green hydrogen which can be used to store and transport renewable energy. It can be used to produce electricity and fuel buses, trucks, trains, and other large vessels. The ammonia made from hydrogen can be used in gas-based power plants to generate electricity during peak demand. Its use in coal-based power plants helps reduce carbon emissions.
The port will provide import-export facilities as it already has seven oil jetties with attached pipelines.