Tokyo Gas developing low-cost hydrogen for methanation

Japan’s largest utility is working with Screen Holdings to bring down electrolyser cost

Tokyo Gas, Japan’s biggest gas utility, is working towards low-cost production of green hydrogen as part of efforts to manufacture synthetic methane that will help the country meet its climate goals. The Tokyo-listed company is looking to synthesise methane from hydrogen and CO₂ using methanation technology. The hydrogen will be produced using renewables while CO₂ will be sourced from power plants and factories or via direct air capture, the company says. The Japanese government is positioning methanation as a growth industry and one of the key ways for Japan to achieve its stated target of net-zero emissions by 2050. The technology is attractive for Japan—the world’s sixth-largest gas marke