With this, it is expected that the hydrogen trains could well be operational in as early as two years meaning Poland could reduce its carbon emissions. It could well act as a catalyst for further hydrogen adoption in the country.

Not only will hydrogen trains be provided through this partnership but a steady supply of hydrogen fuel for the trains to use will additionally be developed.

Under the agreement, Alstom will cooperate with PKN ORLEN in participating in proceedings organised by public rail transport operators.

Alstom will be responsible for the supply of zero-emission trains powered by hydrogen fuel cells. In turn, PKN ORLEN will be responsible for the distribution, storage and supply of hydrogen fuel for these trains.

Sławomir Cyza, President and Managing Director of Alstom in Poland, Ukraine and the Baltic States, said, “One of the key elements of Alstom’s strategy is to have a positive impact on the climate and the environment.

“We have been using hydrogen technology in railway transport for years and we are the first company in the world to start commercial passenger transport with hydrogen trains, which are completely emission-free and, what is important, partly produced in Poland.

“We were the first to introduce high-speed trains to Poland – 20 Pendolino trains. I hope that Alstom will also be the first to introduce hydrogen trains to Poland.

“The signing of today’s agreement with PKN ORLEN is another step towards the transformation of the Polish railway with the use of state-of-the-art global technologies.”

Józef Węgrecki, Management Board Member for Operations at PKN ORLEN, said, “We are consistently developing alternative energy sources, including hydrogen. This is the fuel of the future that will drive the energy transition in the long term.

“We have strong competences in this area, backed by experience. Cooperation with Alstom will enable us to implement pilot hydrogen projects in public rail transport and strengthen our position in Poland and the whole Central European region.”

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