India builds momentum in gas usage

Steadily rising demand for natural gas is bringing environmental benefits but also concern about import dependence

India appears set to overtake China as having the world's largest residential market for LPG by 2030, due to the combined effect of a range of government measures to promote the uptake of cleaner burning fuels. “LPG demand in the residential sector will continue to see sustainable growth at a cumulative annual growth rate of 3.3pc, reaching 34mn t in 2030 as households' dependence on solid biomass diminishes in the long run supported by rising average household incomes and urban population,” a recent report by consultancy Wood Mackenzie projects. Motivated by environmental and health concerns around burning biomass for domestic energy consumption, New Delhi has been promoting use of LPG amon