AI-Driven Energy Demand May Trigger LNG Shortage by 2030

QatarEnergy CEO Saad al-Kaabi warns of a potential global LNG shortage by 2030, driven by AI and data center demands, along with Asian fuel needs and European gas consumption. Despite an expected glut of new LNG supply between 2026 and 2029, increasing demand could outpace production.

The rising electricity demand fueled by artificial intelligence and data centers, combined with surging fuel requirements in Asia and Europe's gas dependence, could transform an anticipated global liquefied natural gas (LNG) surplus into a deficit by 2030, according to QatarEnergy CEO Saad al-Kaabi.

Speaking at the LNG2026 conference in Doha, al-Kaabi expressed concerns about new LNG supplies, such as those from the U.S. Gulf Coast's Golden Pass and Qatar's North Field Expansion projects, potentially creating a supply glut from 2026 to 2029 that might lower prices.

However, al-Kaabi indicated that increased demand projections, largely propelled by ongoing AI and data center power needs, suggest a looming shortfall rather than oversupply as Europe becomes a significant LNG buyer, especially after suspending Russian gas imports due to geopolitical tensions.