Liquefied Natural Gas: India, Qatar, and Japan Compete

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG): India, Qatar, and Japan are competing.

On Sunday, November 9, 2025, at 1:30 PM, Melanie Duval reported that India aims to gradually adopt liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a central pillar of its energy supply. Three major players in the industry – India, Qatar, and Japan – are currently in the running to assist the country in this transition. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to diversify energy sources, aiming to enhance the resilience of the power grid while aligning with decarbonization goals.

The Central Electricity Board (CEB) plans to install combined cycle gas turbine plants with a total capacity estimated between 450 and 500 megawatts. This infrastructure, which is expected to be operational in the coming years, aims to stabilize the national grid, which often experiences demand spikes during peak periods.

Ongoing negotiations involve three strategic partners, each bringing unique advantages. India, known for its expertise in deploying large-scale energy infrastructure – exemplified by its LNG projects such as Petronet LNG – could offer technical and operational support, including planning and engineering.

Qatar, the world's second-largest LNG exporter with an annual production exceeding 77 million tons in 2023, could ensure a stable and competitively priced supply. Japan, a leader in technological innovation, excels in high-efficiency gas turbines, like those developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and could facilitate a transfer of knowledge in energy efficiency and advanced maintenance.

These discussions, led by the Ministry of Energy, focus on establishing a balanced cooperation framework. Key issues include not only expertise and financing but also the transfer of technologies tailored to Mauritius' island constraints, such as cyclone risks and spatial limitations.

Historically reliant on coal for a significant portion of its electricity production, Mauritius faces increasing challenges regarding energy security and environmental sustainability. Recently, the country has come close to experiencing blackouts. Coal, which is imported and emits CO2, currently constitutes a substantial share of the energy mix, contributing to the island's vulnerability to global market fluctuations and climate pressures. In this context, LNG emerges as a viable alternative: cleaner than coal in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, it offers greater flexibility for existing infrastructures and scalable solutions.