The Runaki initiative now provides 24-hour electricity to nearly 5.5 million citizens across the Kurdistan Region, according to the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Ministry of Electricity.
The ministry said the programme now reaches more than 85% of the public. This marks one of the largest changes to the Kurdistan Region’s electricity system in recent years.
Runaki Initiative Expands 24-Hour Electricity Coverage Across Kurdistan Region
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The latest expansion brings full-day electricity to all of Soran, Zakho, Raparin, Koya, Pirmam, Akre, and Simel.
Under the Runaki initiative, newly connected areas will receive discounts during the first three months. The discounts will be 50%, 25%, and 15% as residents move to the new progressive tariff system.
The ministry said 1.47 million subscribers are now covered by the programme. Erbil accounts for 504,000 subscribers and about 1.93 million citizens. Slemani follows with 351,000 subscribers and about 1.34 million citizens.
The programme also covers Duhok, Halabja, Soran, Zakho, Raparin, Koya, Pirmam, Akre, and Simel.
The government said more than 5,900 neighborhood diesel generators have now been phased out. That represents nearly 85% of the total. The KRG plans to phase out more than 7,000 generators by the end of 2026.
Officials estimate that the removal of 5,917 diesel generators has cut annual carbon dioxide emissions by more than 1.12 million tonnes.
Prime Minister Masrour Barzani announced the Runaki programme in October 2024. Its goal is to deliver 24-hour electricity to every home and business in the Kurdistan Region by the end of 2026.
The KRG Council of Ministers approved the national programme in May.
