On September 5, 2025, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways inaugurated India’s first port-based green hydrogen pilot project at V.O. Chidambaranar Port. The project is built at a cost of Rs 38.7 million. The 10 normal cubic metre per hour (Nm³/hr) pilot facility will generate green hydrogen to power streetlights and an electric vehicle charging station in the port colony.
Other projects launched include a 400 KW rooftop solar power plant, enhancing the port’s rooftop solar capacity to 1.04 megawatt (MW), and a Rs 245 million link conveyor connecting coal jetty-I to the port stack yard, increasing efficiency by 0.72 million metric tonnes per annum.
Besides, the foundation stone was laid for a pilot green methanol bunkering and a refuelling facility of 750 cubic meter capacity at a cost of Rs 353.4 million; a 6 MW wind farm; a Rs 900 million multi-cargo berth; a 3.37 km four-lane road, and the Tamil Nadu Maritime Heritage Museum.