PKN Orlen and Alstom signed an agreement on strategic cooperation. According to its provisions, Orlen will provide infrastructure for hydrogen refuelling and fuel supply for the zero-emission trains produced by Alstom.

The signatories of the agreement will cooperate by participating in proceedings organized by public rail transport operators. Alstom will be responsible for the supply of zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell-powered trains, and Orlen will ensure the distribution, storage and delivery of fuel. Alstom’s first hydrogen vehicles, refuelled with hydrogen from PKN Orlen, have a chance to operate in regional lines within two years.

Establishing cooperation will enable the Polish energy concern to implement pilot hydrogen projects in public rail transport.

“By 2030, we intend to allocate approximately PLN 7.5 billion for investments, allowing nearly half of the hydrogen produced by the Orlen Group to be low- and zero-emission. It will translate into a reduction of 1.6 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions”, announced the president of Orlen, Daniel Obajtek.

Vice-president and director of sales and business development of Alstom in Poland, Ukraine and the Baltic States, Artur Fryczkowski emphasized that his company is a pioneer in the development of hydrogen technologies in rail transport.

“In 2018, we were the first manufacturer in the world to put the Coradia iLint hydrogen train into commercial use. Cooperation with PKN Orlen will allow us to more effectively implement the ambition of a technological leader in rail transport, as well as the ambition of Poland as one of the key countries where hydrogen technologies are developed and implemented”, said Fryczkowski.

Alstom is an international concern dealing with energy and transport infrastructure. It has been operating in Poland for over 25 years and is the largest producer in the railway industry. Over 4,000 people work in 11 Polish branches of the company.

Arkadiusz Słomczyński