Iraq oil ministry defends free fuel supplies to private generators

BAGHDAD, Iraq — BAGHDAD — Iraq's Oil Ministry issued a written statement rejecting claims by the head of a residential generator association that operators received no government support during the summer months. The ministry said it has supplied diesel to private generator owners during national power outages for the past 20 years. According to the ministry, fuel was distributed free of charge through the Petroleum Products Distribution Company in previous years and during the current summer, with allocations reaching 45 liters per kilovolt-ampere. The ministry said the program is limited to registered and approved generators to ensure fuel reaches actual consumers. Figures cited by the ministry, based on records from local authorities, showed 366 million liters distributed in June, 422 million liters in July and 416 million liters in August under the scheme. The ministry said the same 45-liter per KVA allocation applied each month. The ministry added that it reserves its legal and institutional rights against any statements it considers false or disruptive to public order. No further details were immediately available.