LNG Prices to Stay Firm Amid Qatar Repairs and European Rebuilding
JERA's Chairman and Global CEO Yukio Kani expects liquefied natural gas prices to remain firm in the near term due to Qatar's damaged LNG facilities and Europe's need to replenish stocks ahead of winter.
Kani noted that restoring some of Qatar's LNG facilities will take more than two to three years, which would further support demand for LNG. He also mentioned that European LNG inventories remain low and that the continent will likely rely on spot market supplies if it sticks to its plan to avoid Russian gas imports.
JERA, Japan's largest LNG buyer and top power generator, is exploring ways to supply electricity to data centres, which are expected to see rapid growth in demand. The company is collaborating with several operators and has already seen strong interest from Japanese data centre operators in long-term power purchase agreements.