Sarbananda Sonowal virtually flags off Electrolysers for Green Hydrogen Plant in Kandla
NEW DELHI / GANDHIDHAM : In a significant step towards energy transition and achieving the objectives of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, virtually flagged off electrolysers for the upcoming Green Hydrogen plant at Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) in Kandla Port, on Tuesday.
Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said, “This flagging-off marks a key milestone in DPA Kandla’s mission to emerge as India’s leading Green Hydrogen hub. Under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, we are driving advanced green energy initiatives, reaffirming our commitment to decarbonising the maritime sector and setting a national benchmark for sustainable port operations.”
Key Highlights of the Initiative:
– *Indigenous Technology*: The electrolysers were manufactured by L&T under the “Make-in-India” initiative for a 1 MW Green Hydrogen Plant being set up at DPA, Kandla.
– *Production Capacity*: The Green Hydrogen Plant at DPA Kandla will be operational by July 2025, producing 18 kg of hydrogen per hour, making it India’s first port-based plant using indigenous electrolysers.
– *Expansion Plans*: DPA plans to expand into Green Ammonia production, advancing India’s Net Zero goals. The initiative aims to establish a port-operated 1 MW Green Hydrogen Plant, with plans to scale it up to 10 MW in the future.
The flag-off ceremony was attended by Shri T.K. Ramachandran, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways; Shri Sushil Kumar Singh, IRSME, Chairman, DPA; and Shri Derek M. Shah, Senior Vice President & Head, L&T Green Energy. The electrolysers were flagged off from L&T’s Hazira manufacturing facility.
DPA’s Vision for Green Hydrogen
In line with the Ministry’s decision to develop Kandla Port as Green Hydrogen Hub, DPA Kandla initiated action in December 2024 for setting up a Port operated 1 MW Green Hydrogen Plant (to be subsequently
scaled up to 10 MW capacity), marking a pioneering effort towards sustainable energy adoption in India’s maritime sector. The primary objective of this plant is to provide engineers and technicians with crucial
exposure to the production, storage and handling ecosystem of Green Hydrogen, thereby fostering innovation and technical excellence within the port’s operational framework.
L&T’s Role in the Project
Recognizing L&T as a proven leader in the Green Hydrogen space, having already established a 1 MW Green Hydrogen Plant at Hazira (inaugurated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister over a year ago, DPA
entrusted the manufacturing of these electrolysers to L&T. Demonstrating remarkable efficiency and commitment to the Make-in-India initiative, L&T successfully manufactured these 1 MW electrolysers in a record time of just three months. Electrolysers are the most crucial component of any Green Hydrogen plant, playing a pivotal role in hydrogen generation.
Project Readiness and Future Roadmap
With the site work already completed at Kandla, these electrolysers will soon be assembled on-site to kickstart operations. The Green Hydrogen Plant is targeted to be fully operational by July 2025, with an estimated production capacity of 18 kg of Green Hydrogen per hour, translating to approximately 80-90 tonnes per year. This will make DPA Kandla the first port in the country to have set up an operational Green Hydrogen plant, using indigenous Electrolysers, within the Port limits. The Green Hydrogen produced by the facility will be utilized to generate clean energy through Fuel Cells, paving the way for self-sustaining and eco-friendly power solutions at the port. Additionally, DPA has ambitious plans to integrate Green Ammonia production by incorporating the necessary modules into the plant. This
will further strengthen India’s position in the global green energy sector and contribute to achieving carbon neutrality goals. This milestone brings India closer to the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of a sustainable and Aatmanirbhar Bharat, while also aligning with the nation’s commitment to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050.
A Step Towards a Sustainable Future
The flagging-off ceremony marks a crucial milestone in DPA Kandla’s journey towards becoming India’s leading Green Hydrogen hub. With the cutting-edge green energy initiatives, DPA Kandla reaffirms its
commitment to decarbonizing the maritime sector and setting a benchmark for other ports across the nation.