PESA Secures PLN 36 Million for Poland’s First HEMU Train

WARSAW, POLAND – PESA Bydgoszcz has secured over PLN 36 million (approx. EUR 8.4 million) in public funding to develop Poland’s first hydrogen-electric multiple unit (HEMU) passenger train. The total project value exceeds PLN 108 million (EUR 25 million) and is financed through the country’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (KPO). The tri-mode vehicle aims to operate on both electrified and non-electrified lines, addressing the portion of Poland’s rail network currently reliant on diesel traction.

What Is the Full Scope of This Project?

The project encompasses the design, technical documentation, and construction of a single demonstrator hydrogen-electric multiple unit (HEMU) train. PESA will develop a proprietary control system to manage three power sources—hydrogen fuel cells, overhead catenary, and battery storage—to optimize energy use across different line types. This passenger train initiative is separate from but complementary to PESA’s ongoing investment in a 15,000 m² production facility for hydrogen shunting locomotives, for which financing was secured in September 2025.

Key Project Data

How Does This Compare to Similar Projects?

The EUR 8.4 million public grant for PESA’s passenger train prototype is a significant national investment into a specific application of hydrogen rail technology. For context, the European Union recently granted a smaller sum, €2.06 million, to Mantle8 to scale up foundational natural hydrogen exploration technology, indicating the PESA award is focused on deployment rather than basic research (Source: The Next Web). However, the project faces risks common to early-stage hydrogen transport initiatives, such as potential cost overruns and supply chain immaturity, which have been significant challenges for Norway’s Lofoten Route hydrogen infrastructure project (Source: CleanTechnica).

Editor’s Analysis

This investment aligns with Poland’s national strategy to modernize its entire transport infrastructure, not just isolated components. While the new high-speed rail network planned as part of the Port Polska project will serve major corridors, PESA’s HEMU is strategically positioned to decarbonize the 40% of regional lines where full electrification is not economically viable. This two-pronged approach—high-speed electrification for trunk routes and hydrogen for regional lines—represents a pragmatic model for network-wide energy transition, addressing a critical gap left by major infrastructure projects (Source: FlightGlobal).

FAQ

Q: Why is this train a “tri-mode” vehicle?
A: The HEMU will have three power sources: hydrogen fuel cells, direct electric power from overhead lines, and a battery for energy storage and recovery. The onboard control system will automatically switch between them to maximize efficiency, for example, by using catenary power on electrified main lines and hydrogen on regional branches.

Q: What is the timeline for seeing this train in service?
A: The current funding covers the development of technical documentation and the construction of a single demonstrator vehicle. A specific timeline for the completion of this prototype or its entry into commercial service has not been disclosed by PESA or the funding authorities.

Q: How does this project fit into Poland’s broader railway plans?
A: This project targets the approximately 40% of Poland’s rail network that is not electrified, providing a zero-emission alternative to diesel trains. It complements large-scale electrification and high-speed rail projects, like the one associated with the new Port Polska airport, by offering a decarbonization solution for lower-density regional lines.