Progress at scale: LNG in a low-carbon, secure energy future

As the global energy landscape enters a new phase of complexity, one truth is becoming increasingly clear: energy security and decarbonisation are not opposing goals – they are interdependent imperatives. In a world grappling with geopolitical volatility, climate requirements, and rising energy demand, natural gas – and particularly liquefied natural gas (LNG) – stands at the intersection of reliability and sustainability.

The narrative around LNG and natural gas has shifted significantly over the last decade. Once viewed by some as a transitional fuel, it is now being reevaluated – especially in Asia and other emerging markets – as a critical component of a stable, diverse energy mix. These markets face the difficult task of balancing affordable energy access with sustainable energy development. While renewables continue to scale, LNG offers a dependable, dispatchable energy source that complements intermittent renewables and supports grid stability. For many regions, natural gas is the only scalable near-term option that advances both affordability and sustainability.

Building a secure, sustainable global energy system

At Baker Hughes, we believe LNG plays a foundational role in building a secure, sustainable global energy system. That belief is grounded in both market realities and technological readiness. We are innovating across the entire gas value chain – from our highly efficient LM9000 gas turbine, to modular and scalable solutions like our NMBL LNG liquefaction system, to digital solutions that increase efficiency and reduce emissions.

Our NMBL modular LNG solution, powered by the LM9000 gas turbine, exemplifies how we are rethinking project delivery. Modular, scalable, and digitally integrated, NMBL reduces time to market and environmental impact.

Delivering economic and environmental value

Meanwhile, our digital tools are helping customers extend maintenance intervals, reduce downtime, and cut emissions – delivering both economic and environmental value. For example, through our Cordant suite of digital solutions we are able to cut the time it takes to import and validate our customers’ data, ultimately bringing asset strategies to life 30% faster. These tools help our customers achieve lower carbon intensity in every molecule delivered.

However, technology alone is not enough. Policy must rise to meet the moment. In recent years, we have seen how abrupt regulatory shifts – whether a permitting pause or a tariff escalation – can stall critical investment in long-lead energy projects. Tariffs and protectionist measures introduce uncertainty into capital-intensive projects. As an industry, we must continue advocating for evidence-based, stable policy environments that allow infrastructure to be planned and built on rational timelines.

Policy that enables innovation

Good policy, in our view, is technology-agnostic, performance-based, and designed to enable – not stifle – innovation. It must reduce barriers to qualification, permitting, and deployment of new energy solutions.

The LNG market of tomorrow requires infrastructure development and emissions reduction simultaneously. Countries are at different stages of readiness, but share a common need: affordable, cleaner energy backed by strong partnerships. For Baker Hughes, that means offering not just technology, but long-term collaboration – with governments, financiers, and local operators – to build energy systems that are both future-proof and fit for purpose. Whether it is our collaboration with NextDecade on the Rio Grande LNG expansion or our work with Cedar LNG in Canada, we are building long-term relationships that drive innovation and deliver results.

LNG as a catalyst

Ultimately, our mission is to ensure that LNG remains not only relevant, but essential – by making it cleaner, more flexible, and more accessible. This is how we reconcile the needs of today’s markets with the ambitions of tomorrow’s climate goals.

The next decade will be defined by how we balance energy security with climate ambition. At Baker Hughes, we believe that LNG is not a compromise – it is a catalyst. It enables countries to reduce coal dependence, stabilise energy systems, and transition toward a lower-carbon future.

As we look ahead, three words capture our outlook: Secure. Sustainable. Scalable. That is the promise of LNG, and that is the future we are building – together.