BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 17. Natural gas consumption in the Asia Pacific region rose sharply by 7% in 2024, reaching 980 bcm, according to the latest Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) outlook, Trend reports.
The region’s accelerated demand, up from a 2.5% increase in 2023, was led by strong industrial activity, higher electricity demand during extreme heat events, and policy measures encouraging fuel switching from coal to gas.
China and India were the primary drivers of regional growth. China alone added 33 bcm to its consumption, benefiting from a steady push to expand gas infrastructure and reduce coal dependence. The commissioning of new LNG regasification terminals and increased volumes through the Power of Siberia pipeline from Russia supported this shift. Additionally, favorable pricing and surging power demand amid record-breaking heatwaves boosted gas use in both the industrial and electricity sectors.
India, for its part, added 7 bcm to its annual gas demand in 2024. The country’s expanding city gas distribution network and rising gas use in the fertiliser and power sectors supported this growth.
While China and India led the surge, other regional trends were more mixed. Japan’s gas demand remained flat as the country leaned more heavily on energy efficiency and nuclear restarts to balance its grid. South Korea, in contrast, saw a modest 2 bcm increase in gas consumption, reflecting the evolving interplay between gas, nuclear, and renewables in its power sector.
Looking ahead, GECF forecasts a further 5% increase in Asia Pacific gas demand in 2025, setting the stage for a historic moment: for the first time, the region is expected to surpass the 1,000 bcm annual consumption mark — a level previously reached only by North America.
This milestone reflects the Asia Pacific region’s growing influence in global gas markets. Countries across the region, particularly China, India, and several Southeast Asian nations, are expected to continue scaling up LNG imports and building out infrastructure to diversify energy supply and reduce coal reliance. In Southeast Asia, rising demand from Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Bangladesh will be key, as domestic gas production declines and import dependency grows.