Cambodia’s fuel imports remain steady, minister says, with 10- to 21-day buffer

Cambodia’s imports of fuel and liquefied petroleum gas are continuing normally, Mines and Energy Minister Keo Rottanak said on September 25, while urging people to use fuel carefully amid global and regional uncertainty.

Fuel stocks and imports

He said Cambodia’s existing stocks and approved import plans would provide a buffer of 10 days for aviation fuel, 21 days for petrol, 15 days for diesel and 10 days for LPG if no additional imports arrived. Rottanak noted that these levels were similar to the situation before the Strait of Hormuz crisis.

The minister emphasized that the buffer figures do not mean imports have halted. He said Cambodia’s diverse suppliers and regional partnerships have kept fuel and LPG deliveries flowing without interruption.

Rottanak also said the energy ministry, along with the commerce and economy and finance ministries, is maintaining government policies aimed at supporting fuel prices. He added that work is under way to build extra storage facilities to improve the country’s long-term fuel security.

Despite the stable supply picture, he warned that global fuel markets remain fragile, pointing to the ongoing war in Ukraine and rising tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. He said some countries have imposed fuel-saving measures and called on Cambodians to use fuel and gas responsibly.

Electricity supply and planned LNG plant

Separately, Rottanak said electricity supply remains normal, with adequate capacity and no change in tariffs. As of September 25, hydropower and solar provided about 83.2 per cent of Cambodia’s electricity, while coal accounted for 16 per cent. No fuel oil is being used for power generation at present, he said.

He said Electricité du Cambodge would continue to absorb higher coal costs to keep electricity prices unchanged.

The minister also updated the public on a planned 900-megawatt liquefied natural gas power plant in Koh Kong province. Site preparation and construction of a gas receiving port are under way, while the first 450-megawatt turbine is being transported to Cambodia.

Rottanak asked people to rely on official updates from relevant government agencies as the fuel situation develops.