Global natural gas demand rose by 78 billion cubic metres in 2024 and is projected to grow by another 71 bcm in 2025, according to the 2025 Global Gas Report by the International Gas Union and Snam.
Total demand reached 4,122 bcm last year, and is being driven by heatwaves, industrial demand, AI-powered data centres and grid strain.
Demand in Europe jumped 6.1%, with LNG imports up 23.6% in the first half of 2025 alone.
Asia, led by China and India, is expected to be the primary growth engine as electricity demand surges in the decade ahead.
Meanwhile, North America and Europe are seeing steady growth and growing reliance on LNG to meet flexibility needs.
With renewables expanding rapidly but intermittently, natural gas is being positioned as the most scalable and responsive fuel to stabilise power systems.
Menelaos Ydreos, Secretary General of the IGU, said: “Natural gas remains essential to energy security in an evolving energy system. It delivers reliable supply with lower emissions than oil and coal, while stabilising grids amid growing electrification and extreme weather.”
Snam CEO Agostino Scornajenchi added: “We must continue investing in gas infrastructure to ensure long-term energy security and decarbonisation. Biomethane and carbon capture can help mitigate volatility while using existing assets.”
The report also stresses the importance of supportive regulation and clear policy frameworks to unlock investments in cleaner gas, including biomethane and CCS.
If current trends persist, global energy demand will surpass projections set for 2030, reinforcing the case for continued investment in resilient, flexible gas systems that complement the clean energy transition.
Global gas demand surges as energy systems brace for heat and AI strain appeared first on Energy Live News.