Price control, gasoline quotas, transition to remote work. How the world is fighting the energy crisis

Almost everywhere, governments’ first steps to mitigate the surge in electricity and transport prices have been to cut fuel excise taxes and allow power plants to switch to less environmentally friendly but cheaper fuels.

In particular, in Israel, the excise tax on diesel fuel for power plants has already been reduced to almost zero and a partial reduction in the excise tax on gasoline is being considered.

China, India, Thailand, Hungary, Romania, Russia introduced significant restrictions or bans on the export of petroleum products – gasoline, diesel fuel, etc., in order to protect the domestic market, but thereby aggravated the situation in countries that do not have their own oil refining capacity.

South Korea, Japan, Thailand, and Hungary have introduced a ceiling on retail gasoline prices.

However, a number of countries were forced not to limit themselves to general measures, but to take steps that directly impact the lives of the population.

The Philippines was the first to declare a state of emergency in the energy sector, where the public sector was transferred to a four-day work week, a requirement was introduced to turn off computers during lunch breaks and to set air conditioners to a temperature of at least 24 degrees. Philippine airlines are reducing the number of flights, shopping centers are reducing their opening hours.

Sri Lanka announced the introduction of gasoline quotas, moved the public sector and education to a four-day week, and canceled public events and state ceremonies.

India, dependent on Qatari gas supplies, has introduced a gas distribution mechanism.

In South Korea, civil servants cannot use a work car every five days (rotation according to the last digit of the license plate), and recommendations on energy saving for the population have been issued (12 points, including shorter showers, charging phones during the day, moving laundry and cleaning to weekends, etc.). An accelerated restart of five nuclear reactors is also planned.

Thailand has switched the public sector to remote work.

Bangladesh has introduced fuel rationing for the private sector. Universities are on vacation. Shopping centers close at 21:00. A planned power outage has been introduced.

Vietnam – Airlines are canceling flights due to a shortage of jet fuel.

Pakistan has moved the public sector to a four-day work week, universities have switched to remote learning, schools have been closed for two weeks, and public ceremonies have been cancelled. Fuel limits for company vehicles have been reduced. Cricket league matches are played without spectators.

Indonesia has moved its public sector to partially remote work.

In Egypt, shops, cafes, restaurants and shopping centers close at 21:00 (on Thursdays and Fridays – at 22:00). Billboards and street lighting are disabled or minimized. Government offices in the New Administrative Capital close at 18:00; Some of the work is done remotely. Fuel limits for government vehicles have been cut by almost a third.

In Ethiopia, all government agencies and state-owned enterprises have placed non-essential staff on mandatory paid leave to reduce transport fuel consumption.

In Mauritius, restrictions have been introduced on the use of electricity for non-essential needs: decorative lighting, heating of swimming pools, and fountains are prohibited.

Slovenia is currently the only European country that has introduced fuel quotas