Chennai: Tamil Nadu’s V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority in Thoothukudi has floated an Rs 81.33 crore tender to establish a 3 MW green hydrogen production plant and hydrogen vehicle refuelling station, advancing the port’s plan to develop into a green hydrogen hub, DT Next reported.
The proposed facility will use an alkaline electrolyser to produce at least 45 kg of green hydrogen per hour. It will include hydrogen storage, compressors and a refuelling system capable of dispensing up to 900 kg of hydrogen a day for vehicles.
The project is part of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways’ broader plan to develop VOC Port as a Green Hydrogen Hub. The port has been identified as one of India’s green hydrogen hubs under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
The facility will have storage capacity of around 720 kg of hydrogen, which will be stored under high pressure and dispensed at 350 bar. The turnkey contract covers design, engineering, procurement, civil and electrical works, automation, safety systems, installation, commissioning, testing and training.
The contractor will also be responsible for operating and maintaining the facility for seven years, including a two-year guarantee period.
The project will be developed on around three acres and is scheduled for completion within 12 months. VOC Port will provide 22 kV power supply and potable water free of cost, while the contractor will undertake other required arrangements, protection systems and project-related works.
The proposed plant represents a significant expansion from the port’s existing green hydrogen pilot facility, which has a production capacity of 10 Nm³ per hour. The pilot project currently supplies hydrogen for port street lighting and an electric vehicle charging station.
VOC Port chairperson Susanta Kumar Purohit said the pilot project helped demonstrate the technical feasibility of green hydrogen production at a port and enabled the port to identify operational and technical challenges.
The port plans to expand the pilot facility in phases, eventually scaling green hydrogen production capacity to 10 MW for green mobility applications. The plans include deploying hydrogen-powered trucks for port operations.
Purohit had earlier said the first stage of commercial green hydrogen production at VOC Port is expected to begin in 2029.
