Poland Launches Passenger Trial of First Hydrogen Train
Poland is set to launch passenger trials of its first hydrogen-powered train this August on the Jelenia Góra–Karpacz line in the southwest. Developed by Polish manufacturer PESA, the SM42-6Dn locomotive is designed to replace diesel engines on non-electrified rail routes, using hydrogen fuel cells and batteries as a clean and cost-effective alternative to building new electric infrastructure.
If successful, the train could enter regular service with Lower Silesian Railways and potentially expand to other regions. The trial reflects regional efforts to lead in hydrogen rail technology, aligning Poland with countries like Germany, France, and Italy, where hydrogen trains are already in use.
Photo: pesa.pl
Air Liquide greenlights €500M project ELYgator in Rotterdam
Industrial gas leader Air Liquide has officially given the green light to a 200 MW green hydrogen electrolyzer project – ELYgator. The €500 million project will be located in the heart of the port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
ELYgator (combining PEM and alkaline units) will generate 23,000 tonnes of renewable hydrogen per year using offshore wind energy. The clean H2 produced will be transported via cross-border pipelines to the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.
First wave of H2 projects in the UK
The UK has officially signed long-term contracts for 10 commercial-scale green hydrogen projects under its Hydrogen Allocation Round 1 (HAR1), enabling construction to begin across industrial regions including Teesside, South Wales, Bradford, and North Scotland.
The projects will create 700+ skilled jobs in the clean energy industries of the future and support the government`s mission to become a clean energy superpower.
UK`s minister of industry, Sarah Jones, said that the government is “rolling out hydrogen out at scale for the first time, with 10 of the first projects now shovel-ready to start powering businesses with clean, homegrown energy from Teesside to Devon”.
Hydrogen is essential for Britain’s industrial renewal under the government’s Plan of Change, which aims to create thousands of jobs in its industrial heartland.
