We had the pleasure of speaking with the Utilisation Committee, where they shared their insights on the importance and indispensability of natural gas, and discussed how WGC2025 will serve as a platform to exchange strategies and knowledge within the gas industry.

Q1.  Given the volatility of global energy markets, changing demand, and the urgent call for a faster energy transition, what is your perspective on the role of gas (natural gas, renewable gases, etc.) during this critical period?

Natural gas is one of the key energy sources for countries to significantly reduce their carbon footprint. For countries already advanced in the energy transition, natural gas and renewable gases are essential links that will enable them to meet climate change targets, complementing green electricity and nuclear resources.

For countries in the process of energy development and/or seeking to abandon fossil fuels such as coal or fuel oil, natural gas and/or renewable gases are main pathways to start the energy transition quickly.

Q2. As the global voice of Gas, what role do you see the IGU taking in the ongoing pursuit of innovation and increased sustainability for gas?

The fact that gas-fired energy (NG or renewable gas) plays a very important role in the energy transition is not currently being properly recognised, especially by government and political bodies. The IGU must help to spread this message and increase its lobbying activities to better understand that gas energy is an indispensable and unavoidable link of the energy transition. We must make it clear that we cannot regulate everything with electrification. In addition, for the production and use of renewable gases (Biomethane 2G; green hydrogen,...) technologies are emerging and therefore require strong technical and economic support to pass at level of industrial deployment. L’GU must be completely involved in these programs and not only at marginal level.

Q3. The IGU’s Triennial Work Program 2022-2025 was an ambitious undertaking aimed at enhancing the profile of the IGU across the global gas markets and maximising the benefits of natural gas. Could you summarise three key successes or outcome in this triennium leading the Committee or Task Force?

Until a few years ago, the production and utilisations of renewable gases were not on the agenda. Today, they are an essential part of the programs as we saw during the triennium and presentations to IGRC in 2024. We still need to accelerate the movement.

However, there is still much work to be done in terms of promotion and support. This must be on the agenda of the next Triennium, especially for Utilisations If we want to have gas to produce, transport, distribute and store, we must have consumers at the end of the chain. If we do nothing, over electrification will close markets to gas, as is already the case in Europe or in some North American markets for commercial and domestic utilisation or lean Mobility.  

Q4: What do you think is the success of the Chinese Presidency in the triennium and what’s your expectation to the incoming Italian Presidency? 

As indicated at the beginning of this interview, we are living in a difficult and economically and technically complex period in the world of energy.

One of the successes of the Chinese presidency was to guarantee the smooth operation of the triennium and the holding of LNG and IGRC congresses, despite these difficulties of economic and political context.

What needs to be accelerated and boosted is the implementation of renewable gas solutions and the acceleration of their deployment. We do not have 60 years ahead of us as for natural gas and that is what the new presidency will have to tackle

Q5: With the theme “Energising a Sustainable Future,” how significant is WGC2025 for the IGU and the global gas market? What key trends from the abstracts excite you about the programme, and what makes this year’s event particularly valuable for attendees?

The gas world is at a turning point and must reinvent itself significantly to guarantee the durability of its different activities. Among the point that emerge from this triennium are the emergence of new jobs and new solutions around renewable gases. This will sustainably transform the gas chain and our associated business models. The interest of WGC and sharing experiences and strategies (policies, techniques or business) of different actors in the gas world. This allows all actors to progress on energy efficiency; reduction of methane emissions along the gas chain, GHG emissions to combat global warming. and also to help clarify and limit the necessary risk taking that must be taken to transform us in terms. Risks that the current world, which is highly financialised and short term, would like to avoid.