New Delhi
India’s natural gas consumption is expected to reach 103 billion cubic meters (bcm) per year by 2030, up nearly 60% from current levels, a top official said on Thursday. Speaking at an event hosted by the Chintan Research Foundation, Praveen Mal Khanooja from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas added that with strong policy support, usage could rise to 120 bcm — close to South America’s present levels.
As part of its goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070, India is focusing on natural gas as a bridge fuel. Gas has fewer emissions compared to coal and oil, making it a cleaner option during the transition to renewable energy. Khanooja noted that India relies mostly on regasified LNG to grow gas use, as new options like green hydrogen and compressed biogas are still developing.
Currently, gas makes up just 6.8% of India’s energy mix, far from the 15% target for 2030. The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts India may only reach 8–9% under regular policy conditions.
To meet its targets, India must overcome challenges in infrastructure and policy. The updated ‘India Gas Vision’ forecasts rapid growth across various sectors.
Adani Total Gas CEO Suresh P. Manglani stressed the need to learn from China’s push for LNG in transport. He called for more LNG stations and entrepreneurship in remote and industrial areas.
Indian Gas Exchange CEO Rajesh Mediratta added that India must build a strong domestic gas market, which would help secure better international deals and reduce reliance on intermediaries.
