The Tamil Nadu government is poised to issue tenders for the construction of a 60 million litres per day (MLD) desalination plant in Thoothukudi, a port city in southern India, reports The New Indian Express.
The new desalination facility aims to support the influx of industries setting up in the region. The project, which will operate under a hybrid annuity model, is expected to see its tender process commence shortly, according to Dr. K Senthil Raj, Managing Director of the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (Sipcot).
Thoothukudi, a district increasingly attracting investment from various sectors, including the green hydrogen industry, relies heavily on the Tamirabarani river for its water needs. The new desalination plant is seen as a critical infrastructure development to meet the water demands of these new industries. Electrolysis of water, a key process in green hydrogen production, requires approximately nine litres of water to generate one kilogram of hydrogen, highlighting the necessity for a reliable water source.
The proposed desalination plant will feature a conveyance system extending 33.18 kilometres to Mullakadu in Thoothukudi. The total project cost is estimated at ₹1,000 crore. Dr. Raj emphasized the state’s strategic shift towards desalination to conserve fresh water from its reservoirs, reflecting a broader commitment to sustainable water management.
