TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The oil crisis due to the war between Iran and Israel has spread to Bangladesh. Amid a worsening energy crisis due to the conflict in the Middle East, the country has closed down universities and restricted fuel sales.
As reported by Al Jazeera, authorities have shut down all state and private universities nationwide starting from Monday, March 9, 2026, bringing forward the Eid al-Fitr holiday as part of emergency measures to conserve electricity and fuel. Officials stated that this step will not only reduce electricity consumption but also alleviate traffic congestion, which leads to fuel wastage.
University campuses consume a large amount of electricity for student dormitories, classrooms, laboratories, and air conditioning. The closure of campuses will help alleviate pressure on the country's electricity system, which is experiencing a deficit. "The decision has been taken to reduce electricity and fuel consumption considering the current global situation," said the Bangladesh Ministry of Education in a directive circulated to the university officials.
As much as 95 percent of Bangladesh's energy supply is met through imports. Last Friday, the government imposed restrictions on purchasing electricity, leading to panic. The public began hoarding fuel.
As part of broader conservation efforts, the government also urged all schools with foreign curricula and private tutoring centers to suspend operations during this period to limit electricity usage. Alongside the closures, the government has issued guidelines encouraging institutions and offices to use electricity more efficiently, including maximizing natural light and minimizing unnecessary lighting and power consumption.
These measures are taken as Bangladesh faces increasing uncertainty regarding fuel and gas supplies following disruptions in the global energy market caused by the United States-Israel war in Iran.
The war has escalated into a wider conflict in the Middle East, severely obstructing oil and gas exports and driving up costs.
Severe gas shortages have forced Bangladesh to halt operations at four out of five state-owned fertilizer factories. Bangladesh has also redirected available gas to power plants to avoid widespread power outages.
Bangladesh, with a population of 170 million, is the eighth most populous country in the world. The country has been purchasing LNG from the spot market at much higher prices while seeking additional cargoes to bridge the supply gap.
"We are doing everything we can to reduce consumption and ensure stability in power, fuel and import supplies," said a senior official at the Ministry of Electricity, Energy, and Mineral Resources.
Energy analysts say these measures could help the energy sector in the short term, while authorities work to stabilize fuel imports and manage distribution. However, they warn that prolonged disruptions to the academic calendar could pose challenges for students if the energy crisis continues.
Authorities have not indicated how long the closures will remain in effect. The institutions are expected to resume normal academic schedules after the Eid al-Fitr holiday if the energy situation improves.
Read: Bahrain State Oil Firm Declares 'Force Majeure' After Iran Attack
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