India Natural Gas Market Segmented By Type (Compressed Natural Gas, Piped Natural Gas and Liquified Petroleum Gas), By Application (Industrial, Electric Power, Transportation, Residential, Commercial, Others), By Region, Competition, Forecast and Opportunities 2020-2030F

Market Overview

The India Natural Gas Market was valued at USD 16.9 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 27.36 Billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 8.2% during the forecast period. The India natural gas market is driven by several key factors. Rapid economic growth and increasing energy demand are propelling the need for cleaner energy sources, with natural gas seen as a key solution. Government policies, such as the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga project, aim to expand pipeline infrastructure, while incentives for LNG terminals support growth. Environmental concerns and the push for a cleaner energy mix are further accelerating natural gas adoption, especially in sectors like power generation and transportation. The growing urban population increases demand for natural gas in residential, commercial, and industrial sectors, particularly in cleaner transportation options like CNG vehicles. Infrastructure development, including the expansion of gas pipelines and LNG terminals, improves accessibility and supports increased consumption. Additionally, foreign investments and rising LNG imports ensure a stable supply to meet the country’s needs. Industrialization and the need for efficient energy in sectors like chemicals, fertilizers, and textiles also drive demand. Overall, natural gas plays a crucial role in India’s energy transition, offering a cleaner alternative to coal and oil.

Key Market Drivers

Government Policies and Infrastructure Development

The growth of the natural gas market in India is significantly driven by the government’s proactive policies and infrastructure development initiatives. Recognizing natural gas as a cleaner alternative to traditional fuels like coal and oil, the Indian government has placed a strong emphasis on expanding its natural gas infrastructure. One of the most notable initiatives is the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga project, which aims to extend the national natural gas grid, connecting more regions to the gas supply network. This initiative plays a critical role in making natural gas accessible to previously underserved areas, especially in the eastern and northeastern parts of the country, thus boosting demand.

In addition, the Indian government has made efforts to promote Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) by building more LNG terminals and increasing the number of import and regasification facilities. The expansion of LNG terminals enhances India's ability to import natural gas from global markets, ensuring supply stability despite fluctuations in domestic production. As of recent years, India’s LNG import capacity has been steadily increasing, contributing to the country’s energy security.

Furthermore, the government has incentivized the development of natural gas infrastructure through tax exemptions, subsidies, and reduced duties on LNG imports. These efforts help to drive down the costs of setting up natural gas pipelines, LNG terminals, and other related infrastructure, making it more financially feasible for both private and public players to invest in the sector. This not only increases supply but also reduces transportation and distribution costs, further encouraging the use of natural gas in industrial, residential, and transportation applications.

The government has also recognized the importance of natural gas in transitioning toward a cleaner energy mix. India’s commitment to reduce its carbon footprint, as part of its climate change commitments under the Paris Agreement, aligns with the expansion of natural gas use. As a result, the government is providing favorable policies, including financial assistance and regulatory reforms, to promote natural gas as a key energy source for power generation, industry, and transportation. By facilitating cleaner energy options, these policies support the growth of the natural gas market, ultimately contributing to the overall reduction of India’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Additionally, the City Gas Distribution (CGD) network rollout, which aims to expand the supply of piped natural gas (PNG) to households and compressed natural gas (CNG) for vehicles in urban centers, plays an essential role in driving market growth. This infrastructure initiative helps reduce dependence on traditional, more polluting fuels like coal and petrol, enhancing air quality and promoting energy efficiency in urban areas.

Industrial Growth, Urbanization, and Energy Demand

The industrialization and urbanization of India are critical drivers of the country’s natural gas market growth. As India experiences rapid urban expansion, the demand for clean energy solutions across sectors such as power generation, transportation, and industrial manufacturing continues to rise. This increasing energy consumption has led to greater interest in natural gas, as it offers a cleaner, more efficient, and cost-effective alternative to coal and oil. In the power generation sector, India’s reliance on coal has been under scrutiny due to its adverse environmental impact. Natural gas-fired power plants have gained popularity as they emit fewer greenhouse gases and pollutants compared to coal-fired plants. As India strives to meet its growing electricity demand while adhering to environmental goals, the natural gas market is experiencing an uptick in demand for power generation. Gas-fired plants are considered a key component of India's energy transition, contributing to the country’s push for more sustainable energy practices.

In addition to power generation, industrial demand for natural gas is also on the rise. Natural gas is used as both a fuel and a feedstock in various industries, including chemicals, fertilizers, textiles, and food processing. India’s expanding industrial base, particularly in sectors like petrochemicals and steel production, increasingly relies on natural gas to power operations. Gas-based industries benefit from natural gas due to its efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and lower emissions compared to traditional fuels, thus fostering demand.

Urbanization, meanwhile, is leading to higher consumption of natural gas in residential and commercial applications. As more people move to cities, there is increased demand for clean cooking fuels, heating, and cooling, all of which can be provided efficiently through natural gas. The growth of city gas distribution networks ensures that urban populations have greater access to piped natural gas (PNG) for domestic use. Moreover, as India strives to reduce the pollution caused by burning coal or biomass in rural areas, natural gas serves as a cleaner and safer alternative for cooking, especially in urban and peri-urban households.

The transportation sector in India is also undergoing a significant transformation, with natural gas increasingly used as an alternative to petrol and diesel. The adoption of compressed natural gas (CNG) in vehicles, especially buses, taxis, and three-wheelers, is growing due to its environmental benefits. CNG is viewed as a cost-effective and eco-friendly fuel, helping cities combat rising air pollution levels. The government’s push for expanding CNG infrastructure, such as refueling stations, further accelerates the uptake of natural gas in transportation, contributing to the market’s growth.

Together, industrial growth, urbanization, and rising energy demand are central to India’s natural gas market expansion. These factors create a dynamic demand environment for natural gas in both traditional and emerging sectors, making it a vital component of India’s evolving energy landscape.

Download Free Sample Report

Key Market Challenges

Infrastructure and Supply Chain Bottlenecks

One of the major challenges facing the Indian natural gas market is the underdeveloped infrastructure and logistical bottlenecks in the supply chain. Despite the government’s efforts to expand the natural gas grid and increase LNG import capacity, the country still struggles with gaps in the infrastructure required to effectively distribute and utilize natural gas. India’s natural gas pipeline network is relatively limited compared to its total energy demand, with a significant portion of the country, especially in rural and remote areas, lacking access to natural gas. While projects like the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga and the expansion of city gas distribution networks are ongoing, these developments are not yet sufficient to cover the vast geographical expanse of the country.

The transportation and distribution of natural gas face significant challenges, particularly in the form of delayed or insufficient pipeline construction, lack of adequate LNG terminals, and inconsistent logistics for LNG storage and transportation. These gaps can result in supply disruptions, making it difficult for industries, power plants, and consumers to rely on a steady supply of natural gas. This not only affects the growth of natural gas consumption but also raises the costs for distribution and access, particularly in areas without a well-established infrastructure.

The high cost and complexity of developing gas infrastructure in a diverse and geographically vast country like India further complicate the situation. The construction of pipelines requires significant investments, often delayed due to regulatory hurdles, land acquisition issues, and environmental concerns. The expansion of LNG terminals also faces challenges such as space limitations, lack of coordination between federal and state agencies, and logistical difficulties in managing imports and distribution.

Moreover, natural gas demand has risen rapidly in urban areas and industrial zones, but the supply network hasn’t kept pace. Cities are facing challenges related to the speed of establishing city gas distribution networks, which limits the number of households and vehicles that can use natural gas. Even where the infrastructure exists, the lack of well-distributed CNG refueling stations or the high cost of setting them up in densely populated urban centers further inhibits natural gas adoption in transportation. As a result, the market faces an uneven distribution of natural gas that could potentially hinder its broader acceptance and use across various sectors.

While the Indian government has committed to improving energy infrastructure, including natural gas, the pace of development is often slower than the rising demand, creating a challenge for stakeholders, from government bodies to private investors, to keep up with the country’s rapid energy needs.

Price Volatility and Dependence on LNG Imports

Another significant challenge for the Indian natural gas market is its high dependence on imports and the resulting price volatility. India relies heavily on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) imports to meet its domestic natural gas demand, as domestic production is not sufficient to satisfy the growing energy needs of the country. As of recent years, India has become one of the largest importers of LNG in the world, with imports accounting for nearly half of its natural gas consumption. This reliance on global markets for LNG introduces a high level of price volatility, as LNG prices are subject to fluctuations in global markets, geopolitical tensions, and supply-demand imbalances.

Global LNG prices are often influenced by a variety of factors, including weather conditions, international conflicts, and changes in global production capacity. For instance, disruptions in key LNG-producing regions such as the Middle East or Russia, or shifts in demand from major LNG importers like China, can lead to sharp increases in LNG prices. India’s dependency on imported LNG means that the domestic natural gas market is highly vulnerable to these external price shocks. This can make it challenging for both consumers and industries to forecast and manage energy costs, which may lead to financial stress, especially for industries that are heavily reliant on natural gas as a feedstock or fuel.

The price volatility of LNG also has broader economic implications. India has been working to establish a competitive and stable pricing system for natural gas, but the link between LNG prices and domestic natural gas prices continues to create challenges for pricing transparency. The pricing mechanism often leads to price hikes in the domestic market, which can adversely impact sectors that rely on gas for industrial processes, transportation, and electricity generation. In some cases, this results in an increased reliance on coal or other cheaper but more polluting alternatives, undermining India’s efforts to reduce emissions and promote cleaner energy sources.

Additionally, the Indian government’s attempts to subsidize natural gas prices to shield consumers and industries from high international prices create fiscal burdens. As global LNG prices surge, the government faces pressure to provide subsidies or find ways to absorb higher costs, which may strain public finances. Furthermore, the price volatility of LNG makes it difficult for long-term planning and investments in the sector, discouraging potential investors and slowing down the development of critical infrastructure.

India’s dependence on LNG imports and the associated price volatility remain significant challenges for the natural gas market. The market’s vulnerability to global price fluctuations, coupled with the complexities of managing supply costs and ensuring stable pricing, poses risks to long-term growth and energy security.

Key Market Trends

Expansion of Natural Gas Infrastructure and Policy Support

One of the most significant trends in the India natural gas market is the rapid expansion of natural gas infrastructure, spurred by strong government support and investment. Recognizing the strategic importance of natural gas in achieving energy security and transitioning to a cleaner energy mix, the Indian government has been focusing on enhancing the domestic natural gas infrastructure. The Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga project is a key initiative aimed at extending the national pipeline network across India, connecting remote areas in the northeast and east of the country with the main natural gas pipeline system. This infrastructure expansion is expected to increase the accessibility of natural gas to industries, urban centers, and households, driving demand for cleaner fuel options.

In addition to the pipeline infrastructure, India is also focusing on the development of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminals to enhance its ability to import natural gas. The expansion of LNG regasification terminals, coupled with the establishment of more storage and distribution facilities, is crucial to reducing India’s reliance on domestic production and ensuring a stable supply of natural gas from international markets. India has set ambitious goals to increase its LNG import capacity, which is expected to rise substantially in the coming years, in line with growing demand.

Simultaneously, the government has actively supported the establishment of City Gas Distribution (CGD) networks in urban and peri-urban areas. The CGD initiative aims to provide clean natural gas for residential, commercial, and industrial use, particularly in metro cities. This trend is particularly important in reducing air pollution in urban centers, as natural gas is a cleaner alternative to coal and biomass used for cooking and heating. The expansion of CNG infrastructure for vehicles is also a critical part of this trend. As more CNG refueling stations are established across India, the adoption of compressed natural gas (CNG) for public transportation, commercial vehicles, and private cars continues to grow, significantly contributing to the reduction of vehicular emissions.

In terms of policy, the government has introduced several measures to incentivize the adoption of natural gas. For example, the Gas4India initiative aims to increase the share of natural gas in the country’s energy mix to 15% by 2030, up from the current 6%. In addition, the government has simplified regulatory processes for setting up infrastructure, including subsidies for the installation of pipelines and CNG refueling stations. These policy incentives, alongside infrastructure development, are making natural gas more accessible and affordable across sectors, from power generation to transportation.

The increasing focus on sustainable and green energy sources has also contributed to the growing role of natural gas in India’s energy transition. The government’s commitment to reducing its carbon emissions in line with global climate goals has led to stronger support for natural gas, which produces fewer emissions compared to coal and oil. As a result, natural gas is seen as a bridging fuel in India’s move toward a low-carbon energy future, helping to meet growing energy demand while curbing environmental impact.

Growth of Natural Gas in Power Generation and Transportation Sectors

A significant market trend in the Indian natural gas sector is the increasing role of natural gas in both power generation and transportation. As the country works toward diversifying its energy mix and reducing its dependence on coal, natural gas is emerging as an important fuel for power generation. India has long been dependent on coal for electricity production, but environmental concerns and the growing need for cleaner, more efficient energy sources are driving a shift toward gas-based power plants. Gas-fired power generation is seen as a crucial element in India’s efforts to address air pollution, meet emission reduction targets, and improve energy efficiency.

One of the key advantages of natural gas in power generation is its flexibility. Unlike coal, which requires significant amounts of time and effort to ramp up or down, gas plants can quickly adjust output, making them ideal for meeting peak demand. This characteristic is essential for balancing the intermittency of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, which are gaining prominence in India’s energy strategy. Gas-fired power plants can provide backup generation when renewable output is low, helping to maintain grid stability. In addition, gas plants have higher thermal efficiency than coal-fired plants, meaning they use less fuel to generate the same amount of electricity, which is important for improving India’s energy efficiency.

India is witnessing a trend of building new natural gas-based power plants, with an increasing focus on combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plants, which offer higher efficiency and lower emissions than traditional open-cycle plants. These plants can take advantage of both gas and steam turbines to generate electricity, further improving efficiency. As India continues to expand its electricity grid and works toward meeting ambitious energy targets, natural gas is positioned to play a more prominent role in the energy mix, complementing the growth of renewable sources and addressing the country’s growing power demand.

In the transportation sector, the adoption of compressed natural gas (CNG) as a fuel for vehicles is gaining significant momentum. Urban areas, particularly cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata, are increasingly adopting CNG as a cleaner alternative to diesel and petrol in public transportation systems, such as buses, taxis, and auto-rickshaws. The use of CNG helps reduce harmful emissions, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter, which contribute to urban air pollution. The government’s push to expand the CNG network, including building more refueling stations and offering incentives for CNG vehicle adoption, is accelerating this trend.

Moreover, natural gas is also playing a growing role in the heavy-duty transportation sector, including freight and logistics. With the implementation of stricter environmental norms and increasing awareness of the need for clean energy alternatives, natural gas-powered trucks and buses are becoming more popular for long-haul transportation. The commercial vehicle market in India is particularly interested in natural gas for its cost-effectiveness compared to diesel, as well as the environmental benefits.

The shift toward natural gas in both power generation and transportation reflects a broader trend of decarbonizing energy systems and reducing reliance on high-emission fuels. These trends are expected to continue as India’s demand for clean and sustainable energy options grows, with natural gas positioned as a key part of the solution.

Segmental Insights

Type Insights

Compressed Natural Gas segment dominates in the India Natural Gas market, The Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) segment is a dominant force in the India natural gas market, primarily due to its growing adoption in the transportation sector. CNG is increasingly being used as an alternative fuel for vehicles, including buses, auto-rickshaws, taxis, and private cars, driven by its cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits. The Indian government has supported this transition by expanding the CNG refueling infrastructure across major urban centers, making it more accessible for consumers and businesses alike. This push aligns with the country’s efforts to reduce air pollution, particularly in metro cities where vehicular emissions are a significant concern. CNG, which produces fewer carbon emissions compared to petrol and diesel, plays a crucial role in mitigating the adverse environmental effects of transportation.

CNG is seen as a more economical fuel choice for commercial fleets and public transportation due to its lower operating costs compared to traditional fuels. The Indian government’s initiatives, such as the expansion of City Gas Distribution (CGD) networks and the establishment of new CNG stations, have further boosted its adoption. This growth is also supported by favorable policies, including subsidies and tax incentives, aimed at promoting cleaner, greener energy alternatives. As the country continues to prioritize sustainability, the CNG segment is expected to maintain its dominance in India’s natural gas market, driving both environmental and economic benefits.

Download Free Sample Report

Regional Insights

South India dominates the India Natural Gas market, in 2024, South India plays a pivotal role in dominating the India natural gas market, primarily due to its strategic infrastructure, industrial growth, and increasing adoption of natural gas as a cleaner energy source. The region is home to key industrial hubs in cities like Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, where industries are rapidly shifting towards natural gas for both power generation and manufacturing processes. The expansion of City Gas Distribution (CGD) networks in states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh has significantly increased the reach of natural gas to households and vehicles, further driving demand for cleaner energy options.

South India benefits from well-established LNG import terminals, such as the Kochi LNG terminal in Kerala, which helps meet the region’s growing energy needs. This infrastructure development, combined with the government’s initiatives to boost natural gas usage, particularly in transportation through CNG adoption, has fostered rapid growth in the region. South India’s dominance in the market is also driven by the state's commitment to reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality. As natural gas continues to play a critical role in meeting the energy needs of South India’s booming economy, its dominance is set to grow further in the coming years.

Recent Developments

• As of April 2024, India's refining capacity is 256.8 million metric tons per annum (MMTPA), spread across 23 refineries. In the 2021-22 period, refinery capacity utilization was approximately 96%. Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) is the largest domestic refiner, with a refining capacity of 70.1 MMTPA.

Key Market Players

• GAIL (India) Limited
• Gujarat State Petronet Limited (GSPL)
• Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL)
• Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL)
• Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)
• Oil India Limited (OIL)
• Reliance Industries Limited
• Cairn Oil & Gas vertical of Vedanta Limited
• Essar Global Fund Limited
• Petronet LNG Limited (PLL)

Report Scope:

In this report, the India Natural Gas Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• India Natural Gas Market, By Type:

o   Compressed Natural Gas

o   Piped Natural Gas

o   Liquified Petroleum Gas

• India Natural Gas Market, By Application:

o   Industrial

o   Electric Power

o   Transportation

o   Residential

o   Commercial

o   Others

• India Natural Gas Market, By Region:

o   North India

o   South India

o   West India

o   East India

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the India Natural Gas Market.

Available Customizations:

India Natural Gas Market report with the given market data, Tech Sci Research offers customizations according to a company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

Company Information

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

India Natural Gas Market is an upcoming report to be released soon. If you wish an early delivery of this report or want to confirm the date of release, please contact us at [email protected]