Assam Petro-Chemicals Limited (APL) has signed a landmark MoU with the Deendayal Port Authority to establish a 150 Tonnes Per Day e-Methanol plant at Kandla Port, Gujarat. 

Key Features of the Project

• Capital investment: Over ₹1,200 crore
• Employment generation: Around 3,500 direct and indirect jobs
• Capacity: 150 TPD e-Methanol production facility
• Location: Kandla Port, a major maritime hub on India’s western coast

Under the agreement, the Port Authority will provide pipeline connectivity, storage and fuel-handling infrastructure, while APL will set up the green methanol production unit, creating an integrated marine fuel value chain.

What is e-Methanol ?

• E-Methanol (electro-methanol) is a low-carbon energy produced using green hydrogen and captured carbon dioxide, powered by renewable energy.
• It is considered a viable alternative fuel for shipping, heavy industry and chemicals, sectors where direct electrification is difficult.
  • Its derivatives gasoline and kerosene provide solutions for road and air transport.
• As a marine fuel, it complies with international emission norms and enables cleaner long-distance shipping.

Benefits of e-Methanol / Green Methanol)

• Infrastructure-ready: Can be used with existing fuel storage, transport and bunkering infrastructure, requiring minimal or no modification.
• Easy to store and handle: Stable at room temperature and ambient pressure, unlike hydrogen, making storage and logistics safer and cheaper.
• Versatile fuel: Can be used directly as a fuel or converted into other fuels and chemicals such as sustainable aviation fuel, dimethyl ether and olefins.

Strategic and Policy Significance

• The project aligns with India’s Maritime Decarbonisation Roadmap and the goal of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2070.
• Kandla Port is being developed as a Green Bunkering Hub and a Green Hydrogen Hub under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which targets large-scale green hydrogen production and exports.
• It supports initiatives such as Harit Sagar – Green Port Guidelines, Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India, and Make for the World.

Significance

• APL, which operates a major methanol facility at Namrup, moves up the value chain from conventional to green methanol production.
• The project highlights the growing role of the Northeast in national clean-energy value chains and reduces dependence on imported fossil fuels.

Exam Hook – 

Consider the following statements:

1. E-methanol is produced using green hydrogen and captured carbon dioxide.
2. Kandla Port is being developed as a green bunkering hub under India’s clean energy initiatives.
3. The National Green Hydrogen Mission focuses only on domestic consumption of green hydrogen.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: 1 and 2 only

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