Shafaq News-Baghdad
A keroseneshortage in Baghdad worsened on Tuesday as lines of vehicles outside fuelstations grew longer, part of a supply crisis affecting most of Iraq in recentdays.
Theshortage, which extends to Baghdad and several provinces, stems from higherdomestic demand as private neighborhood generators consume more fuel during thesummer, alongside reduced output at several oil refineries, energy specialistAsem Jihad told Shafaq News, adding that the government supplies kerosene freeof charge to private generators under a program to support power provision forcitizens, while also meeting the needs of other sectors that depend on thefuel. “That has raised demand markedly at a time when domestic refineriescannot meet the full requirement, owing to limited production capacity andmaintenance at some refining units.”
Read morE: Fuel shortages paralyze Erbil gasoline stations
To cover theshortfall, the Ministry of Oil has turned to importing kerosene to sustainsupply to private generators and local markets, Jihad said, considering thisstep a temporary measure until domestic refinery output increases and projectsto develop the refining sector are completed.
: Iraq’s energy emergency: Kerosene shortages disrupt power and daily life