The state-controlled oil and gas firm inked cooperation agreements with ABO Energy Suomi, Nordic Ren-Gas, and VolagHy Kuopio to develop models of future hydrogen and derivative supplies to Poland.

All three companies are progressing plans for large-scale green hydrogen and derivative production in Finland. ABO is developing a combined 100,000 tonnes of hydrogen production, Nordic Ren-Gas is pursuing e-methane, and VolagHy is looking to make synthetic fuel from hydrogen.

While Orlen says this will enable the exploration of a new model for future hydrogen supply and the development of hydrogen technologies in Poland, the companies are due to look at supplying Orlen’s own industrial footprint.

“The partners will also work together to define the logistical conditions enabling the transport of hydrogen and derivatives from Finland to the Orlen Group’s refining and chemical facilities in Poland,” a company statement said.

This would involve Orlen using salt caverns in Poland for large-scale underground storage of the energy carrier.

With vast hydropower resources, Finland has been lined up as one of Europe’s key green hydrogen-producing regions, with plans to supply the gas to countries like Poland and Germany through the 2,500km Nordic-Baltic Hydrogen Corridor.

“Orlen has the resources and the necessary know-how to play a significant role in this market,” said Polish Minister of State Assets, Wojciech Balczun, “and it will now benefit from the support of experienced partners from Finland.”

These supplies would add to the company’s own planned green hydrogen production projects, including a 100MW electrolyser installation at its Gdańsk refinery.

However, many critics suggest transporting hydrogen over long distances is a costly endeavour. Most existing hydrogen is consumed near where it is produced as part of large-scale industrial complexes.