Shell projects global LNG demand to rise 65% by 2050

Shell’s LNG Outlook 2026 forecasts that global liquefied natural gas demand will reach nearly 700 million tonnes per year by 2050, about 65% higher than the 2025 level. The growth is expected to be driven primarily by Asian markets as countries replace coal and data‑centre power consumption climbs.

In 2025, LNG trade totaled roughly 422 million tonnes, with a modest increase anticipated for 2026 despite supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz that temporarily lifted spot prices. New liquefaction capacity in North America and planned additions of around 180‑200 million tonnes per year by the 2030s‑2040s are seen as essential to meeting future demand, especially in South and Southeast Asia where regasification and pipeline infrastructure remain constraints. Shell also highlights LNG’s role in providing energy security for Europe and balancing intermittent renewables as domestic gas production declines.