On July 31, 2025, the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) at Kandla officially commissioned the country’s first 1 MW Green Hydrogen Plant developed entirely under the Make‑in‑India initiative. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the facility in the presence of Minister of State Shantanu Thakur, Ports Secretary T.K. Ramachandran, Port Chairman Sushil Kumar Singh, and senior officials from Larsen & Toubro (L&T), the engineering contractor.
This plant marks the initial phase of a larger 10 MW project, for which Prime Minister Narendra Modi had laid the foundation stone during his visit to Bhuj on May 26, 2025. Remarkably, the 1 MW module was built in just four months, setting a benchmark in rapid execution of clean‑energy infrastructure.
Key Features and Capabilities
- The plant is fully designed, engineered and built by Indian engineers, using electrolysers manufactured in India by L&T in mere three months.
- It is expected to produce approximately 140 metric tonnes of green hydrogen per year, and initially, around 18 kg/hour (~80–90 tonnes/year) once operational.
- The hydrogen will initially be used to power 11 hydrogen buses and illuminate port streetlights. Longer‑term plans aim to run most, if not all, port operations using green hydrogen.
Strategic Importance
This commissioning represents a strategic leap for India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission (launched 2023) and builds momentum toward achieving Net Zero emissions by 2070 It also aligns closely with the Maritime India Vision 2030, which emphasizes sustainable, innovation‑driven port infrastructure
Union Minister Sonowal called it a hallmark of “speed, scale and skill”, praising DPA for operationalizing a fully indigenous megawatt‑scale hydrogen facility—this places DPA as the first port in India to do so Minister of State Shantanu Thakur called it “a proud moment not just for Gujarat, but for the entire country,” underscoring India’s technological leadership, innovation, and self‑reliance
Operational & Expansion Roadmap
- The next phases include adding another 5 MW by the end of the current fiscal year, and completing the full 10 MW capacity by mid of next fiscal year (i.e. around mid‑2026)
- Plans are underway to integrate green ammonia production modules, enhancing the hydrogen ecosystem and catering to broader decarbonisation applications
- The project serves as a pilot model, providing engineers and technicians hands‑on experience in the end‑to‑end chain of production, storage, handling, and use of green hydrogen — paving the way for scalable deployment in maritime and industrial sectors
Broader Implications & Impact
- The initiative advances India’s self‑reliance in clean energy, showcasing local manufacturing of electrolysers, modular execution and integration of hydrogen tech in port operations.
- It is an early realization of India’s goal to produce around 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030, under the strategic framework of the Green Hydrogen Mission
- Operationally, decarbonising port activities—from tugboats to vehicles and power generation—significantly reduces carbon footprint of maritime logistics and supports national climate targets.
Conclusion
The commissioning of India’s first Make‑in‑India 1 MW Green Hydrogen Plant at Kandla’s DPA, on July 31, 2025, is a defining moment in the country’s clean energy roadmap. Completed in a record four months using entirely Indian technology and talent, the facility exemplifies India’s commitment to maritime decarbonisation, energy self‑sufficiency, and industrial innovation. With plans to scale to 10 MW, introduce green ammonia integration, and power port infrastructure, India is poised to lead in green hydrogen deployment in the port sector—and beyond.
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