IEW 2026 Panel Sees Natural Gas as Key to Emission Reduction

The panel, titled Repositioning Natural Gas and Energy Transformation: Pragmatic Bridging Resource to Pivotal Destination Fuel, featured Arvinder Singh Sahney, Chairman, IndianOil Corporation Limited; Sandeep Kumar Gupta, Chairman & Managing Director, GAIL (India) Limited; Fatema Al Nuaimi, CEO, ADNOC Gas; and Steven Kobos, President & CEO, Excelerate Energy.

Panellists noted that global gas demand is projected to rise by 30–35 per cent by 2050, with coal-to-gas switching offering one of the most immediate pathways to cut emissions while maintaining grid stability. From an Indian perspective, speakers highlighted the country’s expanding gas ecosystem, driven by rising domestic production, diversified LNG imports and sustained investment in pipelines, terminals and city gas distribution networks.

The discussion reinforced that the energy transition should be viewed as energy addition rather than abrupt replacement. Efficient and well-abated gas-based power generation, supported by methane mitigation, efficiency gains and emerging carbon management technologies, was seen as a necessary complement to renewables in ensuring reliability and flexibility.

Affordability emerged as a key challenge, with panellists stressing that natural gas must become more cost-competitive to displace coal and remain viable alongside renewables. Policy stability, long-term financing, lower infrastructure costs and the development of transparent global gas markets were identified as essential enablers, alongside renewed upstream investment and expansion of LNG import and regasification infrastructure, including FSRUs and last-mile connectivity.