New Delhi [India], March 23 (ANI): Countries across Asia, Africa, and Europe have rolled out sweeping—and in some cases unprecedented—energy conservation measures as the escalating conflict in West Asia disrupts global fuel supplies and rattles energy markets.
Governments are enforcing a mix of fuel rationing, work-from-home mandates, public holidays, transport restrictions, and even partial industrial shutdowns to stretch limited reserves and prioritize essential services.
In Asia, Sri Lanka has tightened its fuel management regime by expanding its QR code-based National Fuel Pass system, while also declaring a public holiday for schools, universities, and non-essential state workers to reduce consumption.
According to Xinhua, the Sri Lankan government announced these measures on March 15.
According to a statement by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, under the QR code-based program, car owners will now receive 25 liters per week, an increase of 10 liters, while three-wheeler drivers will receive 20 liters, up by 5 liters. Fuel quotas for lorries and special-purpose vehicles remain unchanged.
Bangladesh has also moved aggressively, shutting universities and coaching centers, enforcing fuel rationing, and implementing five-hour rolling blackouts for households while prioritizing electricity supply to its crucial garment export sector. The deployment of the army at oil depots underscores the gravity of the situation.
Neighboring Pakistan has introduced a four-day workweek, mandated 50 percent work-from-home for government employees, and slashed fuel allocations to departments, alongside closing educational institutions, as reported by Dawn. Bhutan has activated emergency protocols, including fuel rationing for essential services and restrictions to prevent hoarding.
The escalating conflict began on February 28 with the killing of 86-year-old Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in joint military strikes by the United States and Israel. In retaliation, Iran targeted Israel and US assets in several Gulf countries, causing disruptions in waterways and affecting international energy markets and global economic stability.
Due to the conflict in the region, Iran has virtually closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global transit route for energy trade.
In Southeast Asia, countries such as the Philippines and Vietnam are encouraging remote work and limiting non-essential travel, while Myanmar has imposed odd-even vehicle usage rules amid severe shortages that have forced fuel stations to shut down. Similar disruptions have been reported in Cambodia and Laos, where authorities are promoting electric mobility and rotational work shifts to ease pressure on strained supply chains.
The Strait of Hormuz typically handles 15 million barrels per day of crude oil and 5 million barrels per day of oil products, representing roughly 25 percent of global seaborne oil trade.
However, due to the conflict, the waterway has been deemed high-risk for transit, constricting global energy supply and forcing countries worldwide to take such drastic measures.
In Africa, Egypt has ordered early closures of malls, restaurants, and government offices while switching off illuminated billboards to cut power usage. Kenya has imposed fuel rationing and halted exports as fears grow that existing stocks may run dry within weeks.
South Africa has introduced controlled fuel allocation measures to prevent panic buying and ensure equitable distribution.
Meanwhile, in Europe, Slovenia has seen fuel retailers impose strict caps on sales, limiting supplies for both private and commercial vehicles amid surging demand.
Slovenian energy firm Petrol last week announced it has temporarily restricted fuel purchases and reiterated its call for the government to overhaul the existing state-controlled fuel pricing system, citing increased logistical challenges caused by the conflict.
The wave of restrictions reflects mounting concerns over prolonged disruption to energy flows, particularly through critical transit routes in West Asia. (ANI)
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