Hydrogen valleys to give a stimulus to the development of new investments

During the Economic Forum in Karpacz, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki participated in an official ceremony of signing the letter of intent on the creation of Lower Silesian Hydrogen Valley:

I am very pleased that today, here in Lower Silesia, we can launch the creation of the second hydrogen valley in Poland. Hydrogen is the energy carrier of the future,” stressed Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, adding that ”I am convinced that Lower Silesian Hydrogen Valley – one of the five planned to be created in Poland – will be a major contribution to the technological development of our economy.

Poland is challenged with the construction of a new energy system and the creation of the economy based on low-carbon energy sources in order to meet national and European climate objectives. Hydrogen may play a crucial role in the energy transformation of Poland, giving impetus for new investments.

Hydrogen valleys in Poland

Hydrogen valleys are innovative projects created in locations with appropriate industrial and natural resources.

”Hydrogen is what we need on our way from emission energy carriers to zero-emission ones. It is an important element generated in Poland as well. Our country is the 5th largest hydrogen producer in the world,” emphasised the head of government.

The creation of the first hydrogen valley was initiated on 18 May 2021 in Jasionka by signing the letter of intent on the creation of Podkarpackie Hydrogen Valley. A total of 5 projects of this type are planned to be implemented across Poland.

Benefits of creating hydrogen valleys in Poland

Entities operating within hydrogen valleys will prioritise R&D, investment, and implementation works, paying particular attention to the economic and scientific potential of the region. Hydrogen can be used in transport, energy, municipal services, agriculture, green chemistry industries as well as in green mining and smelting industries. Another objective to be met through the creation of valleys will include the provision of support for renewable energy sources in terms of both managing surplus energy from RES and storing it.

Hydrogen valleys to link business and science

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki stressed the crucial importance of the involvement in hydrogen technologies together with partners that have experience in using them to produce low emission and zero-emission energy sources.

”As it was the case in Podkarpacie several months ago, we are initiating a cluster of some kind today, in this place. Hydrogen valleys mean links between business institutions, economic institutions, higher education institutions, and local governments,” added the Prime Minister.

Lower Silesia Hydrogen Valley will have great potential because crucial entities from the world of business and science will be involved in creating it. Lower Silesia Hydrogen Valley initiators include:

• KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. – one of the strategic State Treasury companies, with its headquarters in Lower Silesia;
• Grupa Azoty S.A. – the largest hydrogen producer in Poland;
• Wroclaw University of Science and Technology;
• Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences;
• University of Wroclaw;
• The Industrial Development Agency also plays a pivotal role in the entire process as the coordinator of creation of hydrogen valleys across Poland.

One of the key reasons why Lower Silesia Hydrogen Valley was created was to integrate entities from different sectors by establishing a network of economic relations with suppliers, subcontractors, and business partners, which particularly include:

• higher education institutions;
• research institutes;
• start-ups;
• clusters;
• implementation companies;
• local government units;
• large State Treasury companies.

Hydrogen valleys are a chance to create new jobs. They are also a great opportunity to develop not only the regions in which they will be created, but also Poland as a whole.