Governments worldwide shield households from rising energy costs

India prioritises LPG supply for 333 million homes to prevent shortages

Governments worldwide are trying to shield consumers from soaring energy costs resulting from the US-Israeli war on Iran.

Here’s how different countries are responding:

INDIA

** India has barred consumers with piped natural gas from retaining, obtaining or refilling domestic liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders.

** It has invoked emergency powers and directed refiners to maximise production of LPG, widely used for cooking. It cut sales to industry to avoid a shortage for 333 million homes with LPG connections.

SOUTH KOREA

** South Korea is easing limits on coal-fired power generation capacity and raising nuclear power plant utilisation to as high as 80 percent.

** It is considering additional energy vouchers to support vulnerable households.

CHINA

** China has banned refined fuel exports to pre-empt a potential domestic fuel shortage, four sources said.

** It is also releasing fertiliser supplies from national commercial reserves ahead of spring planting.

AUSTRALIA

** Australia is releasing petrol/gasoline and diesel from domestic reserves to ease shortages affecting rural supply chains as well as mining and agriculture.

JAPAN

** Japan has asked Australia, its biggest supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG), to boost output.

EUROPEAN UNION

** The European Commission, the EU executive, is instructing governments to be flexible when enforcing EU rules on gas imports, amid concerns that strict compliance could delay LNG deliveries needed to stabilise supplies.

ITALY

** Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has said Italy is considering cutting excise duties to soften fuel prices and is ready to raise taxes on firms responsible for unduly capitalising on the energy crisis.

MALAYSIA

** Malaysia will raise spending on petrol subsidies to 2 billion ringgit ($510 million) from 700 million ringgit to maintain the fixed price of the fuel.

THAILAND

** Thailand has discussed with the Russian government the possibility of purchasing crude oil, a deputy prime minister said on Tuesday.

** The minister also said the government would try to cap domestic diesel prices at 33 baht ($1.02) per litre.

** The Thai Planning Agency said the government will freeze prices of some goods and provide support for farmers.

PHILIPPINES

** The Philippines said it plans to rein in power bills as LNG prices surge by boosting coal-fired power generation and regulating electricity tariffs.

BRAZIL

** Brazil's president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva signed a decree to eliminate federal taxes on diesel.

EGYPT

** Egypt has capped the price of unsubsidised bread sold in private bakeries.

ETHIOPIA

** Ethiopia has increased fuel subsidies.