An Important Step for the Development of Poland’s Hydrogen Market

The draft is intended to supplement the missing implementing regulations and establish uniform rules for the operation of the hydrogen system. As indicated in the Regulatory Impact Assessment, the current lack of comprehensive regulations may lead to inconsistent practices among operators and investors, particularly with regard to grid connections, requirements for entry and exit points, hydrogen quality parameters, and settlement rules.

What does the draft regulation cover?

The proposed regulation specifies, among other things:

• conditions for connection to the hydrogen network,
• rules governing hydrogen trading,
• conditions for the provision of hydrogen transmission, distribution and storage services,
• rules for cooperation between system operators,
• methods for managing constraints within the hydrogen system,
• hydrogen quality parameters,
• requirements for metering and settlement systems and hydrogen pipeline infrastructure.

An integral part of the draft is also a technical annex setting out minimum requirements for connecting hydrogen production, storage and offtake facilities, as well as hydrogen networks and direct pipelines. The draft primarily предусматривает the use of Polish Standards implementing European and international standards.

Greater predictability for investors

The purpose of the regulation is to increase legal certainty, standardise operational practices, and reduce risks associated with the preparation and operation of hydrogen projects. The new rules are intended to establish a minimum and predictable framework for the development of hydrogen infrastructure in Poland.

The regulation will be relevant, among others, to operators of hydrogen systems and hydrogen storage facilities, hydrogen producers and importers, industrial consumers, operators of direct pipelines, and hydrogen suppliers.

The draft also introduces new procedural and technical obligations, including those related to connection applications and documentation, cooperation between operators, hydrogen quality parameters and monitoring, settlements, and minimum infrastructure requirements. These measures are primarily intended to ensure technical safety, system interoperability, and transparent access to infrastructure.

10 days for consultations and opinions

The draft is to be submitted for a 10-day consultation period, including consultations with GAZ-SYSTEM, ORLEN, PERN, Grupa Azoty, ANWIL, TAURON Polska Energia, the Oil and Gas Institute – National Research Institute, the Polish Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association, the Gas Industry Chamber, and the Polish Chamber of Chemical Industry.

At the same time, the document is to be submitted for opinions to, among others, the President of the Energy Regulatory Office (URE), the Office of Technical Inspection (UDT), the Polish Committee for Standardization, the Central Office of Measures, and the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK).

According to the Regulatory Impact Assessment, the regulation would enter into force 14 days after its publication. Its implementation will subsequently be monitored, and the need for any potential amendments is to be assessed no later than 36 months after the provisions enter into force.

The publication of the draft marks an important stage in building the regulatory framework for Poland’s emerging hydrogen market. Clear rules on hydrogen connections, transmission, storage, and quality could have a direct impact on the preparation of future investments and the development of hydrogen infrastructure in Poland.