India’s natural gas demand is booming on an unprecedented pace, with first data suggesting a growth of almost 20% yoy in the first half of 2024.
This very strong growth is primarily supported by industry, and particularly by refining and the fertiliser sector, with India aiming to achieve self-sufficiency in urea production by 2025.
In addition, gas burn in the power sector soared by near 30% yoy, as sizzling heatwaves drove up electricity demand for cooling, which in turn rose increased the call on gas-fired power plants.
City gas demand continued to increase amidst the expansion of the gas distribution network and higher gas use in the transport sector (which is accounted in CDG in India).
India’s thirst for gas increased the country’s appetite for LNG, with imports rising by almost 30% yoy in the first half of 2024.
India is a price sensitive market: this has been clearly demonstrated in 2022 when gas demand contracted, and now when the country is back to the gas market with full strength amid lower prices. this is why I firmly believe that India will be one country which will benefit the most from the next LNG wave which is set to start in 2025.
Source: Greg Molnar
