JSW wants to produce hydrogen from methane from mines

The METH2GEN project involves implementing a modern method of methane drainage using directional drilling, which will significantly increase the efficiency of methane capture in mines, including the Budryk mine.

Thanks to this, it will be possible to achieve methane drainage efficiency of exploitation longwalls at a level of approximately 70%.

Producing hydrogen from captured methane

"The use of this technology will not only allow JSW to improve safety, but also reduce costs and limit methane emissions into the atmosphere. This is another step towards modern, responsible mining," says Adam Rozmus, Vice President of Technical and Operational Affairs at JSW.

The second pillar of the METH2GEN project is the construction of a plant to produce hydrogen from excess methane, which is currently flared or released into the atmosphere. Using SMR (Steam Methane Reforming) technology, the methane will be converted into hydrogen, and the resulting CO2 will be captured and used for fire prevention.

- This is a breakthrough solution because it will enable 100% use of methane captured in methane drainage stations, which is of great importance in the context of EU methane regulations - emphasizes Artur Badylak, director of the Methane Drainage and Methane Management Office at JSW.

Methane accounts for nearly 73 percent of JSW's total carbon footprint

Hydrogen produced in this way is expected to be significantly cheaper than hydrogen produced by electrolysis, and demand for it is growing due to the development of decarbonization technologies both in Poland and around the world.

JSW is currently conducting procurement procedures for specialized directional drilling rigs and is drilling wells to determine the location for directional drilling. Simultaneously, research is underway to determine the location for the hydrogen production facility.

The METH2GEN project is just one of four major EU-funded projects currently being implemented by the JSW Methane Drainage and Methane Management Office. The total budget of these initiatives exceeds €63.8 million.

Methane accounts for nearly 73% of JSW's total carbon footprint. As part of its decarbonization efforts and in line with its environmental strategy, the company is undertaking a number of initiatives aimed at reducing emissions of this potent greenhouse gas, which is 28 times more harmful to the climate than CO2.

The JSW Capital Group closed the first quarter of 2025 with a net loss of PLN 1.36 billion.