# Antigua and Barbuda fuel price and energy cost tensions

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/antigua-and-barbuda-fuel-price-and-energy-cost-tensions
> Updated: 2026-09-05T17:54:40.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

In late August 2026, gas station operators in Antigua and Barbuda threatened a strike to demand higher profit margins. Prime Minister Gaston Browne criticized the timing of the potential industrial action, describing it as “bad” and “poor” given rising international fuel costs. He noted that the government had already eliminated its own margins to protect consumers from global price volatility.

By early September, local gasoline and diesel prices had increased by EC$2 per gallon. Despite rising international petroleum prices and a significant increase in the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) monthly fuel bill—which rose from EC$11 million in January to EC$21.8 million in July—the APUA maintained its electricity fuel variation rate at EC$0.80 per kilowatt-hour for the fourth consecutive month.

Following temporary closures of several gas stations in protest of rising operating costs—including electricity, minimum wages, and credit card fees—Prime Minister Browne announced the formation of a committee to review the national petroleum pricing system. While the government rejected immediate margin increases for dealers, Browne acknowledged that the demands were “not necessarily unreasonable.” The review will examine the financial positions of suppliers such as Rubis and importers like the West Indies Oil Company. Browne reiterated that the government has already absorbed millions of dollars in international increases and eliminated a 15% fuel consumption tax to shield consumers.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-05: Antigua and Barbuda to review petroleum pricing system

Antigua and Barbuda is reviewing its petroleum pricing system as the government balances rising international fuel costs, dealer demands for higher margins, and the need to protect consumers from price hikes.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/antigua-and-barbuda-maintains-electricity-fuel-rate-amid-rising-oil-prices

### 2026-08-31: Antigua and Barbuda gas station operators threaten Tuesday strike

Gas station operators in Antigua and Barbuda have threatened a Tuesday strike to demand higher profit margins, a move Prime Minister Gaston Browne called poorly timed amid rising fuel costs.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/antigua-and-barbuda-seeks-us-clarity-on-visas-and-announces-fuel-hikes

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Cite as: Antigua and Barbuda fuel price and energy cost tensions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/antigua-and-barbuda-fuel-price-and-energy-cost-tensions