GAZ-SYSTEM progresses towards EU certification

“The process of certifying the hydrogen transmission network operator demonstrates that Poland is capable of acting swiftly and effectively in close cooperation with European institutions such as the European Commission and ACER. This achievement consolidates our position within the European Union and confirms that cooperation yields tangible results at both the national and international level. Not only is Poland participating in these developments, but it is increasingly contributing to shaping them, thereby consolidating its position as one of the leaders of energy transition in Europe” said Wojciech Wrochna, Government Plenipotentiary for Strategic Energy Infrastructure.

The European Commission has published its opinion on the certification of GAZ-SYSTEM as a hydrogen transmission network operator. In the document, the Commission confirms that GAZ-SYSTEM meets the independence criteria set out in EU regulations and endorsed the positive assessment presented by the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) early this March.

“Securing a positive opinion of the European Commission in the certification process is an important step towards building hydrogen market in Poland and Europe. GAZ-SYSTEM is the first operator to undergo this process, setting standards for the development of hydrogen infrastructure. This confirms our preparedness to implement new tasks related to energy transition,” emphasised Slawomir Hinc, President of GAZ-SYSTEM Management Board.

Obtaining a favourable opinion from the European Commission is one of the key stages in the certification procedure required by EU regulations. In accordance with the current legislation, hydrogen transmission network operators must demonstrate effective unbundling of their operations from energy production and supply activities. The European Commission also noted that, at the current stage of the hydrogen market’s development, the absence of physical transmission infrastructure does not hinder the process of certifying an operator. This position allows future operators to plan, finance and build hydrogen networks, which is crucial for the dynamic development of this sector in Europe.

The development of the hydrogen market in Europe is gaining momentum and is tangibly transforming the functioning of the economies. Hydrogen plays a key role in this process as the energy carrier of the future, supporting the decarbonisation of industry, transport and energy sectors. Advances in hydrogen technologies represent not only an investment in innovation, but also in energy security and competitiveness.

The certification process for a hydrogen transmission network operator is consistent with GAZ-SYSTEM’s long-term strategy, which focuses on developing a modern and flexible energy infrastructure. The company is consistently expanding its activities into new areas related to decarbonisation, including the development of the hydrogen market as one of the pillars of energy transition. Therefore, GAZ-SYSTEM is preparing a development plan for the hydrogen transmission network, which will set out investment priorities for the coming years in response to the growing demand for clean energy carriers. The operator has now completed consultations of this document. The next stage of the certification process will be the submission of the draft ten-year network development plan for hydrogen and obtaining the final decision of the President of the Polish Energy Regulatory Office.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalhydrogenreview.com/hydrogen/17042026/gaz-system-progresses-towards-eu-certification/