Energy Crisis from the Real Iran War, Bangladesh Limits Fuel and Disables All Campuses

Bangladesh announced the closure of all university learning activities as part of emergency measures to save fuel amid an energy crisis worsened by the US-Israeli attack on Iran.

Citing the Economic Times, Monday, March 9, the closure of teaching and learning activities at state and private campuses across Bangladesh is in effect from today, until an undetermined deadline.

According to Bangladeshi officials, this move will not only reduce electricity consumption but also reduce traffic congestion, which causes fuel wastage.

Officials say university activities in Bangladesh consume large amounts of electricity for dormitories, classrooms, laboratories, and air conditioning, so the closure will help reduce pressure on the country's strained power system.

Furthermore, this step was also taken because Bangladesh is facing uncertainty regarding fuel and gas supplies following disruptions in the global energy market due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Bangladesh, which still relies on imports for 95 percent of its energy needs, has also imposed daily restrictions on the sale and purchase of fuel oil (BBM) on Friday, March 6 after panic buying and attempts to hoard fuel.

In order to save energy, the Government of Bangladesh also asked all schools that use foreign curricula and tutoring centers (bimbel) or tutoring centers to suspend their operations during the period of restrictions on electricity use.

Meanwhile, the operation of public and private schools in Bangladesh has been closed in advance in connection with the entry of the holy month of Ramadan 2026, following most educational institutions throughout the country during that period.

Bangladesh is also currently experiencing a severe gas shortage that has forced the government to halt operations at four of its five state-owned fertilizer plants, diverting available gas to power plants to avoid widespread blackouts.

The country has also been buying LNG from the spot market at much higher prices while seeking additional cargoes to cover supply gaps.

"We are doing everything we can to reduce consumption and ensure the stability of electricity, fuel and import supplies," a senior official at the Bangladesh Ministry of Energy said.