Global LNG Imports Rise 3.6 Percent Driven by Europe, India, Japan

India's liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports are rising to meet increasing electricity demand, with imports reaching about 2.3 million metric tonnes in April 2025 and totaling 27.7 million metric tonnes from April 2024 to March 2025, a 15.4 percent increase year-over-year. The country is utilizing eight LNG import terminals with a combined capacity of approximately 52.7 million tonnes per year, including recent additions like HPCL's Chhara terminal. Petronet LNG, India's top gas importer, anticipates further demand growth in late May and June, supported by the expansion of its Dahej terminal capacity from 17.5 to 22.5 million tonnes per year in the coming months. This surge in LNG imports aligns with government emergency measures to increase gas-based power plant operations amid rising power demand, despite some plants being underutilized due to higher costs compared to coal and renewables. Meanwhile, global LNG imports have also increased, especially in Europe, where imports rose 22 percent year-over-year in April 2025 due to lower pipeline gas supplies and domestic production, with countries like Spain, Belgium, France, Italy, and the UK leading the growth. The rising LNG demand and import levels in India and Europe reflect broader shifts in energy consumption patterns driven by power generation needs and supply dynamics.