New Delhi, Feb. 12 -- India's natural gas consumption is forecast to increase by nearly 60 per cent by 2030, driven by robust growth in city gas distribution, industrial demand, and power generation, International Energy Agency said in its 'India Gas Market Report - Outlook to 2030'.

Since 2000, India's natural gas consumption more than doubled, exceeding 65 billion cubic metres per year by 2023.

Between 2023 and 2030, gas consumption is projected to grow by nearly 60 per cent, reaching 103 bcm/year, bringing India roughly on par with the current gas consumption of Saudi Arabia.

The city gas distribution (CGD) sector is expected to lead this growth, supported by the rapid expansion of compressed natural gas (CNG) infrastructure and the...