KRG’s Runaki Program Delivers 24-Hour Electricity to nearly 4 Million Citizens

The Ministry of Electricity announced on Thursday that nearly four million citizens, accounting for more than half of the Kurdistan Region’s population, now enjoy uninterrupted 24-hour electricity under the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Runaki program.

The milestone makes Halabja the first province in both the Kurdistan Region and Iraq to fully switch to 24-hour electricity. The program has also been extended to major cities, including Erbil, Sulaimani, and Duhok, bringing reliable power to homes and businesses ahead of schedule.

According to official data, the Runaki program currently serves:

1- 1.93 million citizens in Erbil through 504,000 subscribers.

2- 1.34 million citizens in Sulaimani with 351,000 subscribers.

3- 351,000 citizens in Duhok with 94,000 subscribers.

4- 139,000 citizens in Halabja with 38,000 subscribers.

This expansion has allowed the government to phase out more than 3,200 neighborhood diesel generators, significantly cutting pollution. The Ministry of Electricity estimates that the phase-out has already reduced annual CO2 emissions by 600,000 tonnes, with Erbil alone accounting for nearly 410,000 tonnes in reductions.

By the end of 2026, the KRG aims to remove more than 7,000 diesel generators, marking one of the most ambitious clean energy transitions in the region’s history.

The program also eases the financial burden on households. Under the KRG’s progressive tariff system, introduced with Runaki, around 80% of citizens now pay less compared to the combined costs of neighborhood generators and the national grid. Bills in June hit a record low, especially for low-income families.

Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, who first unveiled the Runaki program in October 2024, said the initiative was designed to ensure that by the end of 2026, every home and business in the Kurdistan Region will have 24-hour electricity. The KRG Council of Ministers unanimously approved the program in May this year.