Clean Hydrogen for Poland’s Decarbonisation - Policy Brief What is clean hydrogen?

Recommendations 1 Prioritise clean hydrogen off-takers in no regrets sectors Given Poland’s limited domestic energy resources for producing its own clean hydrogen - both in terms of natural gas supply and renewable energy capacity - clean hydrogen should be viewed as a precious molecule and prioritised for use in the hardest-to-abate sectors. [...] Whilst the PHS lays the foundations to develop Poland’s national clean hydrogen market, the lack of evidence-based off-taker prioritisation (particularly in the short- to medium-term) risks distorting the hydrogen market and limiting supplies to sectors that need it the most. [...] Poland is encouraged to work with its neighbours, the EU and potential trading partners to implement a collective clean hydrogen certification framework and strong standards so that any clean hydrogen produced in or delivered to Poland is truly low carbon. [...] For example, any public funding relevant to clean hydrogen development should be open to all forms of hydrogen that are truly low-carbon, based on projects that will move the decarbonisation needle (rather than based on arbitrary colour coding) and scale up the clean hydrogen economy in a timely and efficient manner. [...] In addition, Poland must also consider the socio-economic implications of any clean hydrogen project, to build local support and demonstrate regional benefits, including benefits to the local workforce and economy, as well as ensuring that any hydrogen developments deliver environmental benefits, such as improved air quality and water availability and security.