India’s Gas Market: On the brink of a Transformation
Table of Contents
- 1. India’s Gas Market: On the brink of a Transformation
- 2. A Surge in Demand: Breaking Thru Growth Barriers
- 3. City gas Distribution: Leading the Charge
- 4. Meeting Demand: Navigating LNG Imports
- 5. Accelerated Growth: Unleashing India’s Gas Potential
- 6. Looking Ahead: Strategic Planning for Enduring Growth
- 7. What specific policy measures can the Indian government implement to accelerate the growth of the city gas distribution sector?
- 8. India’s Gas Market: On the Brink of a Change
- 9. A Surge in Demand: Breaking Through Growth Barriers
- 10. Infrastructure Expansion:
- 11. Domestic Production Recovery:
- 12. Easing Global Gas market Conditions:
- 13. Interview with Mr. vijay Sharma, CEO of Gaslight Energy
India’s natural gas consumption is poised for a dramatic surge, projected to rise nearly 60% by 2030, reaching 103 billion cubic meters (bcm) annually. This signifies a pivotal shift in the nation’s energy landscape, positioning India’s projected gas demand on par with some of the world’s largest consumers. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), this unprecedented growth is driven by a confluence of factors: accelerating infrastructure expansion, recovering domestic production, and easing global gas market conditions.
A Surge in Demand: Breaking Thru Growth Barriers
India’s natural gas consumption experienced a notable resurgence in 2023 and 2024, exceeding 10% growth in each year. While 2023 consumption remained marginally higher than 2011 levels, three key drivers are converging to fuel considerable expansion:
- Infrastructure Expansion: India has witnessed a remarkable surge in gas infrastructure development. Since 2019, the number of compressed natural gas (CNG) stations has nearly quadrupled, residential gas connections have more than doubled, and the transmission pipeline network has expanded by 40%. Projections indicate this trend will continue, with CNG stations and residential connections nearly doubling again by 2030, accompanied by a 50% expansion of the gas transmission grid.
- Domestic Production Recovery: India’s domestic gas production, currently meeting 50% of demand, is expected to gradually increase, reaching approximately 38 bcm by 2030. This represents an 8% rise from 2023 levels.
- easing Global Gas Market Conditions: Favorable global gas market conditions are anticipated to contribute to India’s increased gas consumption.
City gas Distribution: Leading the Charge
The city gas distribution sector is projected to spearhead consumption growth in India between now and 2030. Rapid CNG infrastructure expansion and competitive pricing compared to liquid fuels are driving this sector’s expansion. Heavy industries and manufacturing are expected to contribute an additional 15 bcm of demand, while gas utilization in oil refining is forecast to rise by over 4 bcm as more refineries connect to the gas network.
Despite projected domestic production growth, india’s LNG imports are anticipated to more than double to approximately 65 bcm annually by 2030 to meet surging demand. As legacy LNG contracts expire, securing new long-term contracts in the coming years becomes crucial to mitigate exposure to volatile spot markets.
Accelerated Growth: Unleashing India’s Gas Potential
“India’s gas market is entering a new phase of growth, supported by significant infrastructure development and clear policy direction,” stated Keisuke Sadamori, IEA Director of Energy Markets and Security. “The prospect of higher gas demand in India coincides with an expected wave of new global LNG supply. However, it will require careful planning and market coordination to ensure supply security and to help gas to compete in a price-sensitive market.”
India’s potential for even greater gas consumption growth is evident. Under an accelerated scenario, targeted policy measures could propel total demand to approximately 120 bcm by 2030, aligning with South America’s current gas consumption. This aspiring scenario hinges on increased utilization of gas-fired power plants, accelerated adoption of LNG in heavy-duty transport, and rapid expansion of city gas infrastructure.
Looking Ahead: Strategic Planning for Enduring Growth
India’s gas market transformation presents significant opportunities. strategic planning in LNG procurement and import infrastructure is paramount. Addressing the widening gap between contracted supply and projected demand after 2028 necessitates securing new long-term contracts. Embracing innovation, promoting market competition, and fostering international collaboration will be crucial for ensuring a secure, sustainable, and prosperous future for India’s gas sector.
What specific policy measures can the Indian government implement to accelerate the growth of the city gas distribution sector?
India’s Gas Market: On the Brink of a Change
A Surge in Demand: Breaking Through Growth Barriers
india’s natural gas consumption has seen a marked resurgence in recent years,exceeding 10% growth in both 2023 and 2024. While 2023 consumption remained marginally higher than 2011 levels,three key drivers are converging to fuel considerable expansion:
Infrastructure Expansion:
India has witnessed a remarkable surge in gas infrastructure advancement.Since 2019,the number of compressed natural gas (CNG) stations has nearly quadrupled,residential gas connections have more than doubled,and the transmission pipeline network has expanded by 40%. Projections indicate this trend will continue, with CNG stations and residential connections nearly doubling again by 2030, accompanied by a 50% expansion of the gas transmission grid.
Domestic Production Recovery:
india’s domestic gas production, currently meeting 50% of demand, is expected to gradually increase, reaching approximately 38 bcm by 2030. This represents an 8% rise from 2023 levels.
Easing Global Gas market Conditions:
Favorable global gas market conditions are anticipated to contribute to India’s increased gas consumption.
Interview with Mr. vijay Sharma, CEO of Gaslight Energy
Mr. Sharma, India’s gas consumption is projected to surge dramatically in the coming years. Can you shed light on the factors driving this growth?
Mr. Sharma: Absolutely, Archyde. India is on the cusp of a transformative shift in it’s energy landscape. We’re witnessing a convergence of several powerful trends. Firstly, the government’s unwavering commitment to infrastructure development is creating a robust foundation for gas distribution. We’ve seen a phenomenal expansion in CNG stations, piped natural gas connections, and transmission pipelines, making gas more accessible and affordable for consumers and industries alike.
Secondly, domestic production is steadily recovering.This self-sufficiency, coupled with favorable global market conditions, enhances energy security and creates opportunities for price competitiveness.
Archyde: The city gas distribution sector is poised to play a leading role in this growth. What are the key drivers behind this sector’s expansion?
Mr.Sharma: The city gas distribution sector is indeed at the forefront of India’s gas revolution. Affordability, coupled with rapid infrastructure development, is making CNG a compelling alternative to traditional fuels, especially in the transportation sector.we’re also seeing increasing adoption of piped natural gas in households and industries, driving meaningful demand growth.
Archyde: With domestic production alone unlikely to meet the burgeoning demand, how crucial is LNG import security for India’s gas future?
Mr. Sharma: LNG imports will remain undeniably crucial. Securing long-term contracts to ensure steady supply is paramount. India needs to be proactive in diversifying its LNG sources and negotiating favorable terms to mitigate the risks associated with volatile spot markets.
Archyde: What are some of the key challenges that India’s gas sector needs to address to fully realize its potential?
Mr. Sharma: India has an amazing prospect to become a global gas powerhouse. However, several critical challenges need to be tackled. First and foremost, we need to continue investing in infrastructure development. Expanding the pipeline network, building LNG import terminals, and promoting interconnectivity between regions will be crucial for distributing gas efficiently.
Secondly, we need to ensure consistent policy support and regulatory clarity. Streamlining approvals and fostering a competitive market environment will attract private investment and accelerate growth.
promoting innovation in gas utilization is essential. Exploring applications in sectors like fertilizers, petrochemicals, and even transportation will unlock even greater value from this versatile fuel.
Archyde: What do you envision for india’s gas market in the next decade?
Mr. Sharma: I see a future where gas plays a central role in India’s economic growth and energy security. By 2030, we could witness gas consumption reach 103 bcm, aligning India with some of the world’s largest energy consumers. This will require strategic planning, long-term vision, and collaborative efforts from the government, industry, and individuals alike. But the potential rewards are immense, with a cleaner, more sustainable, and prosperous future within reach.