The First Port-Based Green Hydrogen Project of India in VOC Port

The first port-based green hydrogen pilot at V.O. Chidambaranar (VOC) Port, Tamil Nadu, has been the big milestone in India in its clean energy endeavor. This is an innovative project that aims at reducing carbon emissions, facilitating environmentally conscious port management, and in line with the national missions of Viksit Bharat 2047 and Sagarmala programme.

Green Hydrogen Pilot Plant.

The pilot unit is a construction costing 3.87 crore in creating 10 Nm3 of green hydrogen per hour. Streetlights and an EV charging station in the port colony are being powered by this clean fuel. In this development, VOC Port is the first to generate and use green hydrogen on the site and serve as an example to other ports. The project also promotes the overall clean energy programs of India such as the proposed Coastal Green Shipping Corridor between Kandla and Tuticorin.

Green Methanol Bunkering Hub.

To supplement the hydrogen facility, the port has also embarked on a Green Methanol Bunkering and Refuelling Facility. This capacity of [?]35.34 crore will make VOC Port a green bunkering hub in South India, which will provide sustainable fuel solutions to the shipping industry.

Renewable Energy Expansion

As part of its green transition, VOC Port has increased its rooftop solar power capacity to record high capacity of 1.04 MW, the highest among the Indian ports with the introduction of a new 400 KW solar plant. Other developmental big projects are:

• A 24.5 crore link conveyor to increase coal throughput 0.72 MMTPA.
• A base block to a 6 MW wind farm.
• Berths Development of a 90 crore multi-cargo berth.
• A 3.37 km four-lane road.
• Projects in maritime heritage museum.

VC Port: Strategic Importance.

VC Port is one of the 13 major ports in India and is a major coal handling and container transit hub and regional trade in the Coromandel Coast, located in Tuticorin. The port is still developing into a modern sustainable maritime hub with an investment of more than16,000 crore under the Sagarmala.

Outlook and Cooperation.

As a way of enhancing sustainability MoUs were entered into with Indian Port Rail and Ropeway Corporation Ltd with respect to rail connectivity to the Outer Harbour Project and with NTPC on green mobility initiatives. The objectives of these partnerships are to speed up the growth of green infrastructure, create employment, and ensure that Tamil Nadu is among the pioneers of a clean energy-based port economy in India.