Marshall Islands Government Implements Emergency 3 PM Shutdown to Combat Fuel Crisis

The Marshall Islands government orders a 3 PM daily office closure to reduce energy use by 30 percent as fuel prices skyrocket following Middle East conflicts.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 17, 2026, 7:07 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

Mandatory Energy Reductions and Operational Changes

Under the new emergency decree, government ministries and state-owned enterprises are required to deactivate all air conditioning, lighting, and electronic equipment by 3 PM. To compensate for the earlier closure, offices will remain open during the traditional lunch hour, shifting to a seven-hour workday and a 30-hour workweek. Finance Minister David Paul emphasized that despite the reduced hours, government employees will continue to receive their full salary to maintain local purchasing power and prevent the fuel crisis from spiraling into a wider domestic labor issue.

Exemptions for Critical Public Infrastructure

While the energy savings policy is mandatory for most of the public sector, the government has carved out essential exemptions to prevent disruptions to public health and education. Majuro and Ebeye hospitals, the College of the Marshall Islands, and all public schools are exempt from the 3 PM shutdown. Secretary of Health Francyne Wase-Jacklick confirmed that outpatient services, immunization programs, and maternal care will continue as scheduled. However, these institutions are still encouraged to implement internal adjustments to minimize power use where patient safety is not compromised.

Private Sector Integration for Air Conditioning Efficiency

A central component of the 90-day plan involves a strategic pivot to the private sector for infrastructure maintenance. Recognizing that air conditioning is the largest draw on the public power grid, the Ministry of Public Works has been directed to immediately transition all AC cleaning and repair contracts to private companies. Government agencies must now allocate specific funds from their current budgets to hire contractors for regular servicing. The policy mandates that all filters be cleaned every two to four weeks to ensure units operate at maximum efficiency, thereby reducing the total kilowatt-hour demand.