The European Commission (EC) has approved a measure by the Polish government to support Lotos Green H2, a subsidiary of PKN Orlen SA, a Polish oil company, in the production of renewable hydrogen. The measure includes a direct grant of EUR 158 million and aims to facilitate the installation of a 100 MW electrolyser, a 50 MW photovoltaic power plant, and a 20 MWh battery storage facility. The electrolyser is expected to begin operations in 2027 and gradually increase its production capacity to 13,600 tonnes of renewable hydrogen per year.
The renewable hydrogen produced will be used in the fuel production processes at PKN Orlen’s refinery in Gdańsk, Poland. The EC emphasized that this measure aligns with the EU Hydrogen Strategy and the European Green Deal targets, contributing to the transition towards a greener economy. Furthermore, it will help Poland reduce its dependence on Russian fossil fuels.
Poland is currently ranked fifth globally and third within the European Union in terms of green hydrogen production, primarily through natural gas reforming and crude oil refining processes. Experts believe that with the implementation of such measures, Poland has the potential to become a leading producer of green hydrogen.
