Bangladesh Orders Lights, ACs Off As West Asia War Deepens Energy Crunch

Bangladesh has ordered civil servants to cut electricity use by switching off unnecessary lights and limiting air conditioning, as the worsening conflict in West Asia intensifies the country’s energy crisis.

The directive was issued by the Ministry of Public Administration, which asked government offices across the country to reduce power consumption in response to rising fuel pressures.

According to officials, only essential electrical equipment should be used in offices, including lights, fans, air conditioners and other appliances.

Employees have also been reminded to switch off lights when leaving rooms, while air conditioners in government offices must now be set at 25 degrees Celsius or higher.

The move reflects growing concern in Bangladesh

over fuel availability and power costs as the regional conflict disrupts global energy flows.

The South Asian nation, home to around 170 million people, imports nearly 95 per cent of its oil and gas needs, making it highly vulnerable to supply shocks and price volatility.

Officials say the latest measures are part of a wider effort to conserve electricity and fuel as the country grapples with the fallout of the ongoing war.

Bangladesh has already approached multilateral lenders for around $2 billion in financial support to help manage the mounting energy burden.

The government has also taken several other steps in recent weeks to reduce fuel consumption, including capping fuel purchases, halting production at most fertiliser factories, and deploying police at filling stations to monitor supply and prevent panic buying.

As tensions in the Middle East continue to disrupt oil and gas markets, Bangladesh is among the countries now feeling the direct domestic impact of a conflict unfolding thousands of kilometres away.