As emphasized by Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, hydrogen is a chance for clean energy, investments and economic development of the region.

Today, similarly as several months ago in the Subcarpathian region, we initiate a kind of cluster. The Hydrogen Valley is the interface between the business and economic institutions, universities and local governments – he said.

We need hydrogen on our road from carbon to zero carbon. Hydrogen is an important element produced also in Poland. Poland is the 5th world’s largest hydrogen producer. Our involvement in hydrogen technologies together with the partners experienced in the use of these technologies to produce low and zero carbon energy sources is of key importance – added the President of the Council of Ministers.

The Head of the Ministry of Climate and Environment Michał Kurtyka pointed out that the hydrogen valleys form a necessary component in development of the regional hydrogen economies and strengthened international cooperation.

The hydrogen valleys are the most optimal model of hydrogen market development. An integrated approach enables paving the way to the first regional „hydrogen economies” and will contribute to the production volume, use level and social acceptance of the new fuel – he noted.

The Minister reminded that according to the “Draft Polish Hydrogen Strategy until 2030 with an Outlook until 2040”, establishment of hydrogen valleys is one of the priorities of the Government of the Republic of Poland. The letter of intent for the establishment of the Hydrogen Valley in Subcarpathia was signed on 18 May 2021 in Jasionka. The Lower Silesian Hydrogen Valley is kicked off today. The plans include also the establishment of the Mazovian Hydrogen Valley. There are also valleys established on the initiative of local governments (e.g. in Poznan), which confirms trust of the subsequent regions of Poland in the success and prospects for the location of such investments.

According to Minister Kurtyka, Lower Silesia is a region of enormous potential due to its location, infrastructure and available resources. It requires however comprehensive transformation and reindustrialisation, which are the natural allies of the hydrogen valley.

Establishment of the Lower Silesian Hydrogen Valley based on production and use of zero and low carbon hydrogen poses a great opportunity of economic, social and environment transformation for the entire region. This includes not only information and experience sharing between the entities involved in the hydrogen valleys, but also in-depth international cooperation between the local, national and foreign stakeholders – he explained.

Vice-Minister of Climate and Environment Ireneusz Zyska believes that the hydrogen valley will act as development accelerator for the Lower Silesia.

Lower Silesia has been always aiming high. Establishment of the Lower Silesian Hydrogen Valley confirms the great potential of the region to become the energy and economic transformation leader – he said.

One of the key objectives of the Lower Silesian Hydrogen Valley is to integrate the entities from different sectors, including in particular universities, research institutes, start-ups, energy clusters, implementation companies and large enterprises – the anchor companies forming the basis to build a strong network linking the suppliers, subcontractors and collaborators, governmental and local governmental administration and business environment entities. This will create the new jobs, optimise processes and costs and balance supply and demand – he emphasized.

The Vice-Minister informed that the establishment of the optimum operation and management model for the Lower Silesian Hydrogen Valley is the key to benefit from the regional potential in the area of new technologies.

Lower Silesia has the adequate resources to implement ambitious projects, in which low carbon hydrogen will be widely used as the source of clean energy i.e. to produce green hydrogen, electrolysers, fuel cells or hydrogen-fuelled buses, in near future. I believe that hydrogen in Lower Silesia will repeat or even top the success of the battery industry – added Vice-Minister Zyska.