A view of the green hydrogen plant of V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority.
| Photo Credit: N. RAJESH
In its effort to strengthen sustainable and eco friendly operations, V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority has implemented several projects including green hydrogen production plant, an upcoming 9 MW on-port wind power project and green methanol bunkering and refuelling facility.
From its pilot green hydrogen plant, where a small capacity of 10 Nm3/hr is being generated, the system currently powers the port colony’s street lights and a localised EV-charging, serves as the base-line proof of the concept.
Speaking to The Hindu on the expansion of the hydrogen plant and its further applications, port authorities said VOC Port has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tata Motors to transition heavy-duty internal logistics to zero-emission technology.
Under the framework, Tata Motors is deploying 40 Green Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (H2 ICE) prime movers to handle freight inside the terminal over the next two years.
The authorities added to support his heavy fleet, the port finalised the bidding cycle for its ₹67.85 crore tender to build a 2 MW green hydrogen electrolyser system, which will produce a minimum of 600 kg of pure green hydrogen per day.
“The expanded hydrogen output will serve as the primary chemical foundation for the port’s alternative marine refuelling assets,” a port authority noted.
On the progress of the upcoming 9 MW on port wind power project and green methanol bunkering facility, port officials said work is progressing rapidly for the execution of captive 9 MW windpower project.
They added the wind farm has been designed to operate in partnership with the adjoining 8 MW wind farm and 5 MWh battery bank. The project is under active installation and expected to achieve final grid synchronisation and commissioning by late 2026.
Meanwhile the upcoming green methanol bunkering facility is nearing completion of its integration phase, with mechanical construction expected to be completed by the end of July, authorities noted.
Santosh Kumar Sarangi, secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) recently visited the port and conducted on-site inspection of the storage arrays, pipeline networks and hazard mitigation systems of the green methanol bunkering facility.
On the delay in commissioning of the green methanol bunkering facility, port authorities said as the facility relies directly on an on-port green hydrogen generation system to synthesise its fuel. Since the initial pilot project required expansion, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) issued a ₹67.85 tender for 2 MW green hydrogen electrolyser and refuelling station, which concluded its initial bidding cycle only in April, 2026.
They added synchronising the construction of methanol storage tanks with newly scaled-up hydrogen upstream required revisions to the timeline and has been planned to launch later this year.
Chairperson of VOC Port Authority, Susanta Kumar Purohit said the port is entrusted for green initiatives by the MoPSW and the government of India. “We are working on projects like green hydrogen, wind energy and green methanol bunkering facilities and several projects are being implemented,” he said.
Published – June 07, 2026 08:14 pm IST
