Pakistan’s LNG Retreat Signals Trouble for Canada’s Export Ambitions - CleanTechnica

The article highlights Pakistan’s recent move to request Qatar to divert or sell 24 contracted LNG cargoes in 2026, signaling a significant shift in global LNG demand expectations. Pakistan had initially committed to long-term LNG contracts anticipating steady power demand growth and the need to supplement declining domestic gas production. However, the country’s rapid addition of approximately 17 GW of solar capacity in 2024 dramatically altered its electricity mix, reducing reliance on gas-fired power generation. This transition, driven by affordability, energy security, and price stability rather than climate policy, has led to decreased LNG usage and financial pressure on long-term contracts. Emerging grid-scale batteries and hydropower further reduce gas plant operating hours, prompting Pakistan to offload LNG cargoes to avoid financial liabilities. This development is not isolated but indicative of a broader regional trend challenging the traditional LNG demand model that assumes continuous growth in Asia. Several South and Southeast Asian countries, including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, and Vietnam, have canceled or paused LNG