Green hydrogen project under ISTS to come in Tuticorin

The National Committee on Transmission (NCT) has approved an interstate transmission system (ISTS) project to support upcoming green hydrogen and green ammonia plants in Tuticorin district of Tamil Nadu recently.

As per reports, a similar green hydrogen project is also being planned for the Kandla region in Gujarat.

The approved Tuticorin project will be officially titled “Transmission system for proposed green hydrogen/green ammonia projects in Tuticorin area.” It green hydrogen project will be executed through the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) process, with REC Power Development & Consultancy Ltd (RECPDCL) acting as the bid process coordinator.

The project is estimated to cost Rs. 2,617 crore and has a completion timeline of 30 months. It will now be submitted to the Union Power Ministry for final approval.

The transmission system will cater to general network access (GNA) applications totaling 2,640 MW from two major consumers: AM Green Ammonia (India) Pvt Ltd, with a requirement of 1,660 MW expected to begin in December 2026, and Green Infra Renewable Energy Farms Pvt Ltd, requiring 800 MW by December 2028. Both companies are establishing green hydrogen/ammonia plants in the Tuticorin area.

The project will involve the development of various key components to support these initiatives. This would involve setting up of a new 3×1500 MVA, 765/400kV substation at Tuticorin – that will be termed as to be known as Tuticorin (GH) –  with 1×240 MVAR bus reactor.

There will also be established a 765kV double-circuit line of around 50 km connecting the above substation to PGCIL’s existing Tuticorin Pooling Station. The upgradation work of Tuticorin PS to its rated voltage level of 765kV, along with capacity augmentation will be undertaken. Moreover, there will also be upgrade of Dharmapur (Salem New) substation of PGCIL to its rated voltage level of 765kV, along with capacity augmentation.