Coal resurgence looms as gas prices bite, Says NLNG MD, Mshelbila

By Ezurike Ugochukwu 

Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has warned that persistently high global gas prices are pushing developing countries towards coal, undermining global decarbonisation efforts and widening energy inequality gaps.

The Managing Director and CEO of NLNG, Philip Mshelbila, highlighted the alarming trend at the World LNG Summit & Awards in Istanbul, Turkey.

He pointed out that rising geopolitical tensions, trade fragmentation, and shifting contracting patterns are threatening supply stability, particularly for emerging markets struggling with affordability.

Mshelbila stressed that the energy transition will falter unless structural constraints in LNG supply, pricing, financing, and decarbonisation are urgently addressed. “Affordability remains the most critical challenge facing LNG today,” he noted,

The MD added that high prices have forced several developing countries to revert to cheaper, carbon-intensive fuels like coal and heavy fuel oil.

He said, “This trend undermines global climate change targets and slows the transition to cleaner energy.”

Mshelbila called for stronger collaboration among producing countries, consuming nations, financiers, and technology providers to stabilise LNG supply, improve affordability, and secure long-term global energy expansion.

NLNG’s Train 7 project, expected to add eight million tonnes per annum to production capacity, is part of efforts to meet growing demand. However, Mshelbila emphasised that availability, affordability, and decarbonisation must work together to sustain the global LNG industry.

The World LNG Summit provides a platform for policymakers, producers, and financiers to shape energy policy discourse amid growing geopolitical and economic uncertainty.

Mshelbila’s message underscores Nigeria’s growing voice in global energy diplomacy as the country positions itself as a reliable LNG supplier.