INDIA’S LNG IMPORTS SURGE AMID RISING POWER DEMAND

Why in the news?

  • India’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports hit a 44-month peak in June due to increased electricity demand during a severe heatwave.
  • Gas-based power plants operated at significantly higher levels to meet the surge in electricity needs.
Source: PSM

Data:

  • Gas-based power generation in June reached 4.60 billion units, a 52% increase from the previous year’s 3.03 billion units.
  • During Q1 (April-June), power generation from gas-based plants surged 62.5% year-on-year to 13.49 billion units.
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Overview

  • Composition: LNG primarily consists of methane (CH4) with a mixture of ethane (C2H6).
  • Process: Natural gas is cooled to around −162 °C (−260 °F) to condense it into liquid form at close to atmospheric pressure.
  • Characteristics: LNG is odorless, colorless, non-toxic, and non-corrosive, making it safe for storage and transport.