Did Kandla Just Become India's First Port to Launch a Megawatt-Scale Green Hydrogen Plant?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Kandla is the first Indian port to launch a megawatt-scale green hydrogen facility.
- The plant has a capacity of 1 MW and is operational just four months after the foundation was laid.
- It is projected to produce 140 metric tonnes of green hydrogen annually.
- The initiative supports India’s broader goal of decarbonizing maritime operations.
- This project sets a new benchmark for sustainable port management.
Ahmedabad, July 31 (NationPress) The Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) located in Kandla, Gujarat, has successfully launched India’s pioneering ‘Make in India’ 1-megawatt green hydrogen plant.
This remarkable facility became operational merely four months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated the foundation for a 10 MW green hydrogen project during his visit to Bhuj in May 2025.
As a result, Kandla has established itself as India’s first port to host a megawatt-scale indigenous green hydrogen facility, emphasizing Gujarat’s expanding influence in renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure.
The inauguration was conducted by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, accompanied by Minister Shantanu Thakur, Ministry Secretary T.K. Ramachandran, DPA Chairman Sushil Kumar Singh, and several senior officials.
Minister Sonowal commended the swift execution of the project, recognizing the DPA for accomplishing a significant engineering milestone in record time.
“In just four months since we laid the foundation stone for the 10 MW plant, the first 1 MW module has become operational - establishing a new standard for India’s green hydrogen industry,” he remarked.
The facility is projected to generate around 140 metric tonnes of green hydrogen annually, thus playing a crucial role in decarbonizing maritime operations and enhancing India’s reputation in eco-friendly port management. The minister also praised DPA’s previous accomplishments in green initiatives, such as the launch of India’s initial fully electric ‘Make in India’ tug.
He underlined that the creation of a self-sufficient hydrogen ecosystem, developed entirely by Indian experts, sets a motivational example for other ports to embrace sustainable and future-ready technologies.
Commending the L&T engineering team and the entire DPA staff, Sonowal described the successful commissioning of this intricate project as a “landmark in India’s clean energy mission,” in line with the broader vision of ‘Healthy India, Prosperous India’.
Established in 1952, this port manages a substantial portion of India’s cargo traffic and consistently ranks among the top five major ports regarding cargo volume.
During FY 2023–24, DPA processed over 130 million tonnes of cargo, including crude oil, fertilizers, coal, and containers.
The port features cutting-edge infrastructure, comprising multi-cargo berths, a container terminal, and dedicated freight corridors, and serves as a vital hub for India’s energy imports and industrial exports.