Shell’s LNG Outlook 2025 predicts a 60% rise in global demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) by 2040, driven by Asia’s economic growth, decarbonization in industry and transport, and the impact of artificial intelligence.
The forecast predicts global LNG demand to reach between 630 million and 718 million tonnes annually by 2040, a higher forecast than the previous year. The world will need more gas for power generation, heating and cooling, industry, and transport to meet development and decarbonization goals.
Despite a sluggish 2-million-tonne growth in global LNG trade in 2024, Shell expects more than 170 million tonnes of new LNG supply by 2030. China and India are expanding their natural gas infrastructure to meet growing demand, with China boosting LNG import capacity and India building natural gas infrastructure.
The shipping sector is also set for a 60% increase in LNG demand by 2030. Europe’s reliance on LNG will persist into the 2030s, supporting renewable energy and energy security.
