Poland

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GH2 Country Portal – Poland

Green Hydrogen Vision

Poland’s vision for green hydrogen is rooted in its ambition to become a leader in the European hydrogen economy while achieving climate neutrality and maintaining industrial competitiveness. As one of the largest hydrogen producers in Europe, Poland seeks to transition from fossil-derived hydrogen to low-carbon and renewable hydrogen, harnessing its abundant renewable energy potential. These efforts will decarbonise hard-to-electrify sectors such as steel, chemicals, and refining, where renewable hydrogen can replace conventional processes requiring high temperatures and carbon-intensive feedstocks. Poland also aims to integrate hydrogen into its energy system to support renewable energy storage, grid balancing, and cogeneration projects, enhancing energy security and flexibility. The strategy emphasizes research, development, and international collaboration to drive innovation and reduce costs, with initiatives such as the creation of a Hydrogen Technology Centre and active participation in EU-wide hydrogen projects. Through targeted investments, regulatory support, and cross-border partnerships, Poland aspires to harness green hydrogen as a cornerstone for economic growth, environmental sustainability, and a future-proof energy system. 

National Strategy

Poland’s 2021 Hydrogen Strategy aims to establish a comprehensive hydrogen economy as a pathway to achieving climate neutrality while maintaining industrial competitiveness. The strategy prioritizes decarbonizing hard-to-electrify sectors such as transport, industry, and power generation through low-carbon and renewable hydrogen. Poland, already the third-largest hydrogen producer in Europe with 1.3 million tonnes annually, seeks to transition its production base from fossil-derived hydrogen to sustainable sources.  

By 2030, Poland envisions creating a stable regulatory framework, fostering innovation, and building hydrogen infrastructure such as production facilities, storage solutions, and transportation systems. Key initiatives include hydrogen valleys, technology centres, and partnerships at the EU and international levels. The Polish Hydrogen Strategy aims to firmly establish Poland as a leader in the European hydrogen economy, achieving transformative impacts on industry, energy systems, and transportation while contributing to climate neutrality goals. 

Capacity Targets

Hydrogen Production Capacity: 

  • Current: No low-carbon hydrogen facilities in 2020. 
  • By 2030: Establish 2 GW of low-carbon hydrogen production capacity using renewable and zero-emission technologies. 
  • Launch hydrogen production installations with at least 50 MW in the short term. 

Infrastructure Development: 

  • Build at least 32 hydrogen refueling stations by 2025. 
  • Pilot hydrogen storage solutions, including salt caverns and above-ground tanks, for scaling to large capacities. 

Mobility Targets: 

  • Deploy 100–250 hydrogen buses by 2025 and scale to 1,000 by 2030. 
  • Initiate hydrogen-powered vehicles, vessels, and trains. 

Impact Targets

Decarbonisation Goals: 

  • Replace conventional hydrogen with low-carbon hydrogen in industries like steel, chemicals, and refining. 
  • Use hydrogen to decarbonise non-electrified rail, long-haul road transport, and maritime sectors. 
  • Contribute significantly to the EU's net-zero objectives by reducing Poland’s industrial GHG emissions. 

Sector-Specific Applications: 

  • Industrial processes that require high temperatures will use hydrogen as a chemical reactant. 
  • Power and heating sectors are adopting hydrogen for energy storage and cogeneration systems. 

Hydrogen Valleys: 

  • Establish five hydrogen valleys by 2030 as hubs for hydrogen production, sector integration, and industrial decarbonisation. 

Policy and Project Spotlight

  1. The leader of Poland’s Industrial Development Agency (ARP) has announced plans to establish a green hydrogen production facility in Silesia's south-western region. This initiative highlights the increasing focus on hydrogen as a sustainable energy source. As reported by News.Az and citing foreign media, a Canadian/Indian market insights firm, Precedence Research, estimates that the global green hydrogen market will jump from $6.26 billion last year to more than $134.38 billion by 2033. In contrast to less eco-friendly varieties of hydrogen—known as grey, brown, or blue-green hydrogen is generated through electrolysis using renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. This hydrogen form can be utilized for transportation, industrial applications, and energy storage. Michał Dąbrowski mentioned that the plant will be a collaborative venture involving ARP, a state-owned agency that invests in mainly industrial firms to support their development, along with three investment partners. 
     
  2. In May 2024, the Polish government unveiled the ‘Hydrogen Constitution’ legislative package, marking a significant step towards fulfilling Poland’s hydrogen strategy objectives. This draft establishes the groundwork for developing a green hydrogen market aimed at achieving climate neutrality and enhancing the competitiveness of the Polish economy. 

Financing

Public and Private Investments: 

  • Provide state aid and create incentives to bridge the cost gap between conventional and renewable hydrogen solutions. 
  • Fund R&D projects for hydrogen technologies, including electrolysers, fuel cells, and storage systems. 

European and International Cooperation: 

  • Engage in EU initiatives like the Hydrogen Economy Sector Deal and participate in cross-border hydrogen infrastructure development. 
  • Strengthen partnerships for renewable hydrogen production and distribution with international allies. 

Innovation Ecosystems: 

  • Create a Hydrogen Technology Centre to support technology deployment. 
  • Develop a Hydrogen Valley Ecosystem to foster collaboration across industries and sectors. 
     

Poland has unveiled €640M Green Hydrogen Subsidy Initiative with €2M per MW Grant. Poland is poised to enhance its green hydrogen industry through a new subsidy initiative under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (KPO). The Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK) and the Ministry of Climate and Environment have allocated €640 million to bolster investments in hydrogen technologies.

This program highlights Poland’s dedication to decreasing its reliance on fossil fuels and moving towards low-emission energy options. Beginning in December 2024, the initiative will provide substantial funding of around €2 million per megawatt for establishing Renewable Fuel of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBO) hydrogen production plants. These grants aim to stimulate the growth of large-scale hydrogen projects with a minimum capacity requirement of 20 MW. 

Government Green Hydrogen Lead

Ministry of Climate and Environment