Kerosene shortage worsens in Baghdad as queues lengthen
Shafaq News- Baghdad
A kerosene shortage in Baghdad worsened on Tuesday as lines of vehicles outside fuel stations grew longer, part of a supply crisis affecting most of Iraq in recent days.
The shortage, which extends to Baghdad and several provinces, stems from higher domestic demand as private neighborhood generators consume more fuel during the summer, alongside reduced output at several oil refineries, energy specialist Asem Jihad told Shafaq News, adding that the government supplies kerosene free of charge to private generators under a program to support power provision for citizens, while also meeting the needs of other sectors that depend on the fuel. “That has raised demand markedly at a time when domestic refineries cannot meet the full requirement, owing to limited production capacity and maintenance at some refining units.”
Read morE: Fuel shortages paralyze Erbil gasoline stations
To cover the shortfall, the Ministry of Oil has turned to importing kerosene to sustain supply to private generators and local markets, Jihad said, considering this step a temporary measure until domestic refinery output increases and projects to develop the refining sector are completed.
Read more: Iraq’s energy emergency: Kerosene shortages disrupt power and daily life
