Hydrogen Future Boosted by €390M Investment Deal

The Orlen Group, a leading multi-energy company in Central and Eastern Europe, has secured €390 million in funding to advance its ambitious hydrogen initiatives. The financing, awarded under Poland’s National Recovery Plan, will support 2 of the company’s flagship programmes: Green H2 and Hydrogen Eagle. Together, these projects have received Polish złoty (PLN) 1.7 billion in non-repayable grants aimed at accelerating the production of clean hydrogen. The funding will enable Orlen to produce renewable hydrogen through electrolysis powered by green energy, as well as low-emission hydrogen derived from municipal waste, marking a significant step toward Poland’s energy transition and decarbonisation goals.

Orlen’s CEO and President of the Management Board, Ireneusz Fąfara, commented:  “The Energy of Tomorrow Starts Today – that is the title of our strategy through 2035. For us, it is more than a slogan – it is a firm commitment and a belief we uphold. That is why we are already investing in the development of our hydrogen capabilities. The nearly PLN 2 billion secured for the Hydrogen Eagle and Green H2 projects will accelerate progress in the hydrogen segment. Funding from the National Recovery Plan will enable us to expand and scale up hydrogen production infrastructure more efficiently, reinforcing both the domestic and European hydrogen supply networks. It also supports the advancement of this future-oriented technology, which represents one of the key pathways to decarbonisation.”

Advancing hydrogen technology is a core component of Orlen’s long term strategy. By 2035, the group plans to expand its hydrogen production capacity from electrolysis to approximately 0.9 GW, with around 0.7 GW of that capacity to be developed within Poland. To meet the remaining demand, Orlen anticipates supplementing domestic production with imports of hydrogen or its derivatives via maritime routes, depending on the availability of appropriate import infrastructure.

A key driver of this vision is the Hydrogen Eagle programme, an investment initiative focused on building diverse, renewable and low-emission hydrogen sources. This programme will leverage both renewable energy and municipal waste through innovative waste-to-hydrogen technologies. Beyond boosting Europe’s hydrogen infrastructure, Hydrogen Eagle is expected to play a vital role in cutting carbon emissions and accelerating the growth of renewable energy across the region.

Green H2, led by LOTOS Green H2, a dedicated entity within the Orlen Group, is focused on producing renewable hydrogen to support refinery operations at the Gdańsk fuel production facility. Central to the project is the deployment of a 100 MW electrolyser, which will be integrated with an energy storage system to enhance efficiency and reliability. Strengthening its commitment to innovation, Orlen VC, the group’s corporate venture capital arm, has recently invested in Hystar, a manufacturer of high-efficiency PEM electrolysers designed for large-scale, zero-emission hydrogen production. This strategic investment is expected to enhance the technological foundation of Orlen’s broader hydrogen ambitions.

To get a further understanding of the hydrogen sector, you can read the Institute’s latest article here.

Sources:

https://renews.biz/101213/orlen-secures-390m-for-hydrogen-projects/

https://www.euractiv.com/section/eet/news/orlens-hydrogen-ambitions-soar-with-e400m-eu-funding/