India’s first port-based e-methanol plant: foundation stone at Kandla
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On 26 September 2026 the foundation stone was laid for India’s first port-based e-methanol plant at Deendayal Port Authority, Kandla, Gujarat. The 150-tonne-per-day, ₹2,300 crore plant, a venture of DPA and Assam Petro-Chemicals, will make green methanol from renewable power, water and biogenic CO2 to fuel ships.
- Where
- Deendayal Port Authority, Kandla, Gujarat
- Capacity
- 150 tonnes per day
- Cost
- ₹2,300 crore, in two phases
- Partners
- DPA and Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd (76:24)
- Price
- US$750 per tonne vs global US$1,300
- Jobs
- more than 3,500
The Kandla e-methanol plant: what happened?
Shipping is moving to cleaner fuels. E-methanol, made with renewable power and captured CO2, is one option. India wants to make it cheaply at its own ports and sell it to passing ships.
- Foundation stone laid for India’s first port-based e-methanol plant at Deendayal Port Authority, Kandla (Gujarat) [PIB].
- 150 tonnes per day capacity; uses renewable power, water and biogenic CO2; ₹2,300 crore investment, about 3,500 jobs; fuel to be supplied to ships [PIB].
How will the plant be built?
- Phase I: 50 tonnes per day for ₹1,200 crore, by January 2027.
- Phase II: another 100 tonnes per day for ₹1,100 crore, by March 2027.
- DPA gives equity of ₹567.32 crore, 75 acres of land, desalinated water and green hydrogen.
- Fuel will go to ships on the Asia-Europe trade corridor.
- The project supports the Net Zero by 2070 goal.
What can Prelims ask on the Kandla e-methanol plant?
- First port-based e-methanol plant: Deendayal Port, Kandla.
- Inputs: renewable power, water, biogenic CO2.
- Partner APCL is based at Namrup, Assam.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2026-09-26): foundation stone laid for India's first port-based e-methanol plant at Deendayal Port Authority, Kandla (Gujarat).
- Green shipping fuels link the National Green Hydrogen Mission, port policy and Net Zero 2070.
Quotable data point150 tonnes per day capacity; uses renewable power, water and biogenic CO2; ₹2,300 crore investment, about 3,500 jobs; fuel to be supplied to ships.
PIB: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: India's first port-based e-methanol facility, 26 Sep 2026
Exam angle
Prelims: what e-methanol is made from; Kandla = Deendayal Port. · Mains: Decarbonising shipping: role of ports as green-fuel hubs.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
India's first port-based e-methanol plant is coming up at
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB, 26 Sep 2026.
Questions students ask about this
What is e-methanol?
Methanol made using renewable power, water and captured (here biogenic) CO2, used as a cleaner ship fuel.
Where is India's first port-based e-methanol plant?
At Deendayal Port Authority, Kandla, Gujarat.
How big is it?
150 tonnes per day, built in two phases for ₹2,300 crore.
Keep studying
Go deeper
Official source: PIB: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: India's first port-based e-methanol facility, 26 Sep 2026
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending