Eastern Europe faces a complex set of challenges in transitioning to a hydrogen-based economy, shaped by historical energy dependencies, infrastructure limitations, and economic constraints. Unlike Western Europe, where hydrogen strategies often focus on leveraging existing renewable energy capacity or advanced nuclear integration, Eastern European nations must navigate a legacy of coal reliance, underdeveloped clean energy infrastructure, and funding disparities. Poland, in particular, exemplifies these hurdles, with its coal-dominated energy sector presenting both a structural and political obstacle to hydrogen adoption.

Poland’s energy mix remains heavily dependent on coal, which accounts for approximately 70% of its electricity generation. This reliance creates a dual challenge for hydrogen adoption. First, coal-based power cannot easily support green hydrogen production without significant carbon emissions, undermining the environmental benefits of hydrogen as a clean energy carrier. Second, the political and economic influence of the coal industry complicates policy shifts toward alternative energy sources. Transitioning workers and infrastructure away from coal requires substantial investment and social support, neither of which is easily mobilized without external funding or strong political will.

The European Union’s financial mechanisms, such as the Just Transition Fund and the Innovation Fund, are critical to addressing these challenges. However, accessing these funds is not straightforward. Many Eastern European countries lack the administrative capacity to design competitive hydrogen projects that meet EU criteria. Bureaucratic inefficiencies and a shortage of technical expertise delay project approvals, slowing the allocation of funds. Additionally, EU funding often prioritizes projects with clear scalability and innovation, which can disadvantage regions with less mature hydrogen ecosystems. For Poland and its neighbors, this creates a catch-22: without initial funding, they cannot develop the foundational infrastructure needed to compete for larger investments.

Legacy infrastructure further complicates the hydrogen transition. Eastern Europe’s gas pipelines, storage facilities, and industrial plants were largely built for fossil fuels, with limited adaptability for hydrogen. Retrofitting pipelines for hydrogen transport requires material upgrades to prevent embrittlement and leaks, a costly process that many regional operators cannot afford. Similarly, industrial clusters—such as Poland’s steel and chemical plants—are concentrated in coal-heavy regions, making it difficult to integrate green hydrogen without first decarbonizing the energy supply. The lack of hydrogen-ready infrastructure also discourages private investment, as companies hesitate to commit capital to markets with uncertain demand and supply chains.

Another barrier is the mismatch between EU-wide hydrogen targets and Eastern Europe’s realistic adoption timelines. The EU’s Hydrogen Strategy envisions large-scale green hydrogen deployment by 2030, but many Eastern European nations are unlikely to meet this goal without accelerated support. Domestic renewable energy capacity—essential for producing green hydrogen—remains underdeveloped in the region. Poland, for example, has made progress in wind energy but still lags behind Western Europe in solar and offshore wind deployment. Without a rapid expansion of renewables, Eastern Europe may resort to transitional solutions like blue hydrogen (produced from natural gas with carbon capture), which risks locking in fossil fuel dependencies rather than enabling a clean energy shift.

Cross-border collaboration within Eastern Europe is another underutilized opportunity. While the EU promotes regional hydrogen corridors, coordination among Eastern member states remains fragmented. Countries like Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic share similar challenges but lack a unified strategy for hydrogen infrastructure development. Joint projects, such as shared electrolyzer facilities or cross-border pipeline networks, could reduce costs and improve economies of scale. However, political and economic competition often outweighs cooperation, delaying collective progress.

Workforce readiness is another critical issue. The hydrogen economy demands new skills in engineering, project management, and safety protocols, areas where Eastern Europe faces shortages. Training programs are scarce, and brain drain to Western Europe exacerbates the problem. Without targeted education and retention policies, the region risks becoming a passive consumer of hydrogen technologies rather than an active participant in their development.

Despite these challenges, Eastern Europe possesses untapped potential for hydrogen adoption. Its industrial base, particularly in heavy manufacturing, offers strong demand for hydrogen as a feedstock and energy source. The region’s centralized energy systems could also facilitate hydrogen integration if modernized. Furthermore, Eastern Europe’s lower labor and land costs present advantages for large-scale hydrogen projects, provided that funding and regulatory hurdles are addressed.

The path forward requires tailored solutions. EU funding mechanisms must prioritize capacity-building in Eastern Europe, offering technical assistance alongside financial support. Policymakers should incentivize regional cooperation, linking hydrogen projects to broader energy security goals. Legacy infrastructure upgrades should be phased, focusing first on high-impact areas like industrial hubs and transport corridors. Finally, workforce development must be integrated into national hydrogen strategies to ensure local participation in the energy transition.

Eastern Europe’s hydrogen transition is not just a technical or economic challenge but a test of the EU’s ability to balance equity and ambition in its climate policies. Without targeted interventions, the region risks being left behind in the hydrogen economy, perpetuating energy disparities within the bloc. Addressing these barriers will require sustained commitment from both Eastern European governments and EU institutions, ensuring that the hydrogen transition is inclusive as well as transformative.