Fuel Supplies Stable as Cambodia Holds 10- to 21-Day Reserve, Energy Minister Says

Cambodia's imports of fuel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) are flowing without interruption, Minister of Mines and Energy Keo Rottanak said on September 25, though he encouraged the public to use fuel sparingly given continued uncertainty in global and regional markets.

According to Rottanak, the country's existing stocks and approved import schedules would cover roughly 10 days of aviation fuel, 21 days of petrol, 15 days of diesel and 10 days of LPG even if no additional supplies arrived. He described this cushion as similar to what the Kingdom held before tensions escalated in the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that the figures reflect a reserve buffer rather than any halt in imports.

He said Cambodia's diverse pool of suppliers and its regional partnerships had kept shipments of fuel and LPG moving steadily. The Ministry of Mines and Energy, working with the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Economy and Finance, is maintaining the government's fuel price support measures, he added, while efforts to build more storage capacity continue in order to bolster long-term energy security.

Markets Remain Fragile

Even so, Rottanak cautioned that global fuel markets stay volatile, pointing to the drawn-out war between Russia and Ukraine and heightened tensions near the Strait of Hormuz. Noting that several countries had rolled out conservation measures, he urged Cambodians to be responsible in how they use fuel and gas.

"While the government continues to closely monitor the crisis and take additional measures with Cambodia's fuel and gas suppliers, the ministry calls on the public to save as much fuel and gas as possible," he said.

Electricity Supply Steady

On the power front, the minister reassured the public that electricity supplies were normal, with adequate capacity and no changes to tariffs. As of September 25, he said, hydropower and solar accounted for about 83.2 percent of the nation's electricity, with coal making up 16 percent and no fuel oil currently used for generation.

He said Electricité du Cambodge would keep absorbing higher coal costs to avoid raising electricity rates.

New LNG Plant in Koh Kong

Rottanak also provided an update on a planned 900-megawatt liquefied natural gas power plant in Koh Kong province. Site preparation and construction of a gas receiving port are already under way, he said, and the first 450-megawatt turbine is being shipped to Cambodia.

He asked the public to rely on official announcements from the relevant government bodies as the situation unfolds.