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DHAKA, Mar 11, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Bank (BB) today asked all scheduled banks to implement immediate austerity measures regarding electricity and fuel usage to ensure national energy security.

The central bank’s directive cited the current geopolitical situation as the primary catalyst for these precautionary measures. 

According to the circular, volatility in the international fuel supply chain has created tangible risks to national energy security.

By enforcing these mandates, the regulator aims to mitigate these risks and ensure the optimal use of state resources during a period of global economic and supply-side uncertainty.

To significantly reduce the energy footprint of the banking sector, the central bank asked all banks to maintain a mandatory minimum temperature setting of 25 degrees Celsius for air conditioning units.

Offices are instructed to maximize the use of natural daylight and minimize the reliance on artificial lighting, fans, and AC units during business hours; and all electronic equipment, including lights and office machinery, must be switched off whenever they are not strictly necessary for operations, he added.

BB also instructed bank officials to exercise extreme frugality in fuel consumption for both official duties and personal trips.

The directive recommends that bank staff utilize public transport rather than personal vehicles. 

Furthermore, banks are encouraged to adopt car-pooling arrangements to maximize transport efficiency.

To further decrease fuel expenditure, the central bank has instructed institutions to limit or avoid all unnecessary travel.

Beyond internal office habits, the central bank mentioned that the use of decorative lighting and digital display boards must adhere strictly to prescribed timings and regulations. 

BB also ordered banks to avoid any excessive or unnecessary illumination of premises.

The central bank also asked to adopt specific fuel-saving measures for the operation of power generators within bank premises to ensure that all additional and unnecessary consumption is avoided.