By Vishu Adhana
New Delhi [India], April 29 (ANI): The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has caused broad disruption in global energy markets, driving up fuel prices and straining supplies, Cambodia’s Energy Minister Keo Rottanak said, stressing the urgency of diversifying energy sources and accelerating the shift to renewables.
In an exclusive interview with ANI, Rottanak said the impact is worldwide, touching both developed and developing countries. “It is extremely difficult to point to a country that has not been impacted. Even the United States has seen a rise in fuel prices, and countries like India, Cambodia and ASEAN members are particularly vulnerable due to dependence on imported oil and gas,” he said.
He noted that almost 20 percent of global oil and gas flows transit the Strait of Hormuz, so any disruption poses a major risk to energy security everywhere.
Citing India’s approach, the minister said diversifying import sources and investing in renewable energy have helped cushion the blow. “India’s success in diversifying sources and investing in renewables, much like Cambodia, has helped mitigate the disruption. Without that, the impact would have been far more severe,” he said.
Rottanak emphasized that the episode validates renewables’ role in bolstering long-term resilience. “This is a validation that renewable energy is key to energy security and resilience,” he added.
For immediate response, he said Cambodia has focused on securing fuel supplies amid tighter global availability, lowered import duties on petroleum products, and promoted alternatives such as electric vehicles and induction cookstoves to reduce reliance on LPG.
He also underscored transparent pricing to maintain public trust. “It is critical that people understand price increases are due to global supply tightening, not market manipulation. Transparency is key to avoiding panic,” he said. (ANI)
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