Programme for the Exploration, Appraisal and Development of Natural Hydrogen Deposits for Shaping Poland’s Mineral Resources and Energy Policy (GEO-H2-PL)

Implementation period: 2026-10-01 - 2029-09-30

Type: National

Division: Division of Renewable Energy Sources

GEO-H2-PL is a strategic research and development project focused on assessing the occurrence and future development potential of natural hydrogen deposits in Poland. The project is implemented under the 13th call of the GOSPOSTRATEG Strategic Programme for Scientific Research and Development Works, financed by the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR).

The main objective of the project is to develop a comprehensive programme for the exploration, appraisal and development of natural hydrogen deposits. The project will provide the scientific, technological, environmental, economic and regulatory basis for the development of the natural hydrogen sector in Poland and will support the formulation of national mineral resources and energy policy.

The work will include the analysis of existing geological data and integrated geological, geochemical, geophysical, petrophysical and hydrogeological investigations. Three pilot boreholes will be drilled in selected areas considered most prospective for natural hydrogen in order to verify geological indications of its occurrence.

An important element of the project will also be the investigation of different forms of natural hydrogen occurrence, including hydrogen associated with natural gas deposits and hydrogen dissolved in groundwater and brines.

Project objectives:

to identify and characterise geological systems prospective for natural hydrogen occurrence in Poland,
to develop methodologies for the exploration and appraisal of natural hydrogen deposits,
to assess Poland’s natural hydrogen resource potential,
to investigate the potential for recovering hydrogen occurring in different geological environments, including hydrogen dissolved in brines,
to develop technological, environmental and economic guidelines for the future development of natural hydrogen resources,
to define the legal and regulatory framework for natural hydrogen exploration, appraisal and production,
to assess public acceptance of natural hydrogen exploration and production,
to develop a roadmap for the development of the natural hydrogen sector in Poland.

Expected results

geological maps and models of areas prospective for natural hydrogen,
an assessment of Poland’s natural hydrogen resource potential,
field, laboratory and borehole data enabling verification of selected hydrogen systems,
technological, environmental and economic guidelines for natural hydrogen exploration and development,
recommendations for legal and regulatory solutions,
an assessment of the social conditions associated with the development of the natural hydrogen sector,
national and regional roadmaps and action programmes supporting the development of the natural hydrogen sector in Poland.

Role of MEERI PAS

The Mineral and Energy Economy Research Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences (MEERI PAS) participates in research aimed at assessing the natural hydrogen potential associated with groundwater and brines, with particular emphasis on the occurrence and potential recovery of hydrogen dissolved in these fluids. MEERI PAS also contributes to studies on public acceptance of natural hydrogen exploration and production and to the development of regional action programmes and policies related to the potential future use of natural hydrogen in Poland.

Project Consortium:

AGH University of Krakow – Project Leader,
Mineral and Energy Economy Research Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences (MEERI PAS),
Polish Geological Institute – National Research Institute (PGI-NRI)

Project Manager: Henryk Sechman, AGH Professor

Project Coordinator at MEERI PAS: Dr Eng. Bogusław Bielec, e-mail: bielec@min-pan.krakow.pl

Project funding: 16,997,105.50 PLN

The project is financed by the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR) under the GOSPOSTRATEG XIII Strategic Programme for Scientific Research and Development Works.

Grant Agreement No: GOSPOSTRATEG13/0002/2025

Recipient of the project results: Ministry of Climate and Environment

Projects

Programme for the Exploration, Appraisal and Development of Natural Hydrogen Deposits for Shaping Poland’s Mineral Resources and Energy Policy (GEO-H2-PL)