Poland’s national gas pipeline operator, Gaz-System, has launched a public consultation to shape the country's first dedicated hydrogen pipeline network, marking a significant step in the nation’s transition toward a low-carbon energy economy.

The consultation, which runs through March 12, invites stakeholders from the energy production, distribution, and academic sectors to review draft plans for the National Ten-Year Development Plan for Hydrogen Transmission Network. 

The initiative aims to create an open-access market for hydrogen, connecting industrial hubs across the country.

While the full scope and total price tag of the project remain under wraps, Gaz-System confirmed the plan will serve as the blueprint for both new construction and the repurposing of existing natural gas assets. 

Specifically, the operator has identified four existing gas pipelines that could be converted for hydrogen transport without disrupting current gas supplies.

The proposed network is designed to link the Tricity region (Gdańsk, Gdynia, and Sopot) in the north with industrial centres in the central, western, and southern parts of Poland, with the project framed as a major economic driver. 

According to the consultation documents, every 1 billion zloty ($250 million) spent on investment is projected to add over 3 billion zloty ($750 million) to Poland’s GDP. 

The analysis accounts for 50 million zloty ($13.9 million) in annual operating costs over a 25-year period.

Beyond domestic borders, Gaz-System is positioning the network as a critical link in the broader European energy landscape. 

The operator is a key partner in the Nordic-Baltic Hydrogen Corridor, a massive 2,500-kilometer (1,550-mile) pipeline project intended to transport hydrogen from Finland to Germany via the Baltic states and Poland.

Gaz-System, which was officially designated as Poland’s hydrogen transmission system operator last June, stated the goal is to align domestic infrastructure with the emerging European hydrogen market to ensure energy security and industrial competitiveness.