V.O.C. Port bags ‘Platinum Rating’ for sustainable, eco-friendly buildings, energy efficiency certification

V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority has become India’s first major port to receive the prestigious IGBC Platinum Rating, the highest certification awarded by the Indian Green Building Council for creating sustainable, eco-friendly and energy efficient buildings.

An official statement said the administrative building of V.O.C. Port, which follows green policy and waste management plan is equipped with rooftop solar panels and a high Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) reflective roof coating, which helps reduce the Urban Heat Island effect and improves energy efficiency. Resource efficiency has been strengthened through IoT-enabled water meters, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) monitoring systems, rainwater harvesting, and water-saving plumbing fixtures, resulting in a 37% reduction in potable water usage. All wastewater is treated in an on-site Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) and fully reused.

In a significant step towards decarbonization, the administrative building operates on 100% renewable energy, with 89% of electricity generated on-site through solar power and the remaining 11% sourced from off-site renewable energy sources of the port.

The building has a ‘No Smoking’ policy, uses eco-friendly housekeeping chemicals, and is equipped with non-slippery ramps, differently-abled-friendly (DAP) toilets, electric wheelchairs, and lifts with Braille and audio assistance, ensuring easy access for senior citizens and the differently abled. To strengthen sustainability practices, V.O.C. Port has seven IGBC Accredited Professionals overseeing effective implementation and continual improvement. The campus boasts over 70% green cover, supported by extensive tree plantation.

In addition, V.O. Chidambaranar Port has also been awarded with Shunya and Shunya Plus certifications by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under the Ministry of Power, Government of India. The Shunya Certification system is based on the principle that a building’s total annual energy demand is fully met through on-site or off-site renewable energy sources. A Shunya building is a Net Zero Energy Building, meaning it produces as much green energy as it consumes annually, with an Energy Performance Index (EPI) between 0 and 10 kWh/m²/year, focusing on energy efficiency and balance.

A Shunya Plus building is a Net Positive Energy Building that generates more on-site renewable energy than it consumes, with an EPI of less than 0 kwh/m²/year, enabling surplus energy to be exported to the power grid.

Under this certification, V.O.C. Port’s Hospital and CISF Barracks have been awarded with Shunya Plus certification and the Port’s Administrative Building and Guest House have been awarded with Shunya certification.

The V.O.C. Port has been implementing several green initiatives and resource-efficient practices. This dual achievement highlights V.O.C. Port’s leadership among Indian ports in inclusive growth and sets a benchmark for sustainable and energy-efficient port infrastructure across the country. The project involved targeted building upgrades and policy measures to enhance environmental performance, energy efficiency, and occupant well-being. He further noted that achieving the IGBC Platinum Rating, along with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) certification, marks a proud milestone, making V.O.C. Port the first Indian Major Port to attain this distinction, said Susanta Kumar Purohit, chairperson, V.O.C. Port.