On Tuesday, U.S. Consul General Steve Bitner met with Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Minister of Electricity Kamal Mohammad to discuss the Kurdistan Region’s energy potential.

“We talked about the Kurdistan Region’s incredible energy potential. With the right investment, the Kurdistan Region has enough energy resources for 24/7 electricity and can power federal Iraq,” the U.S. Consulate General in Erbil posted on X.

In my introductory meeting with @Acting Minister of Natural Resources and Minister of Electricity Kamal Mohammed, we talked about IKR’s incredible energy potential. With the right investment, IKR has enough energy resources for 24/7 electricity and can power federal Iraq. pic.twitter.com/2Xaz4GfPZo

— U.S. Consulate General Erbil (@USCGERBIL) September 17, 2024

The KRG is currently working on a scheme to provide 24/7 electricity services to citizens. Despite the abundance of oil, citizens still suffer from regular electricity cuts in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

On July 25, the KRG Ministry of Electricity announced a test plan to supply Erbil’s Shadi neighborhood with 24/7 electricity coverage.

“Since the project is at the experimental stage, necessary coordination with the district’s electricity suppliers has been carried out to prevent potential electricity shortages in the area,” the Ministry of Electricity said.

During this trial phase, all residents and commercial establishments in the neighborhood will receive one electricity supply line, and they will be continuously informed via SMS about their usage rates. 

“This experimental project will assist the KRG in better understanding the needs and demands of its citizens, with the goal of being able to provide 24-hour electricity to all of Kurdistan in the future,” the KRG said.