Poland, along with its Baltic and Nordic neighbors, is embarking on an ambitious project to develop a cross-border hydrogen infrastructure.
Gaz-System, the national gas transmission system operator in Poland, has announced that it is joining forces with operators from Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Germany to commission a preliminary feasibility study for the Nordic-Baltic Hydrogen Corridor (NBHC) project.
AFRY Management Consulting has been tasked with preparing the study within the first half of 2024. This study will determine crucial aspects of the project, including the corridor's route, scope, costs, and capacity.
"Based on the results and recommendations of the preliminary feasibility study, the project partners will decide on the next steps of its implementation," Gaz-System stated in a release to state news agency PAP.
The NBHC project aims to facilitate the transfer of hydrogen from renewable sources in Finland through the Baltic states to the primary demand centers in Central Europe, including Germany and Poland. This initiative aligns with the broader European Union strategy to enhance energy security and promote decarbonization in the region. In November 2023, the European Commission granted the project the status of a Project of Common Interest (PCI), recognizing its strategic importance.
In 2024, Gaz-System plans to continue its efforts under the company's hydrogen strategy. This includes identifying supply and demand for green fuels in Poland and developing the Polish Hydrogen Map, while also exploring the use of existing gas infrastructure for transporting hydrogen-blended methane and is actively engaged in regulatory discussions at the EU and national levels.
The Nordic-Baltic Hydrogen Corridor is poised to play a pivotal role in enhancing the region's energy security and reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels. It is also expected to contribute significantly to the decarbonization of energy-intensive industries along the corridor.
Poland, which currently produces primarily gray hydrogen through natural gas reforming and crude oil refining, is anticipating an increase in green hydrogen production. This shift is driven by the expansion of the renewable energy sector in Poland and aligns with the EU's decarbonization policy. Green hydrogen, produced by the electrolysis of water, is seen as a key element in transforming industrial, transportation, and energy sectors towards sustainability.
Source: PAP