Aziz Ahmad, Deputy Chief of Staff to Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, announced on March 28 that nearly half a million people and businesses across the Kurdistan Region are enjoying uninterrupted power for the first time in 30 years as part of the Runaki project.
“Six new neighborhoods in Erbil made the switch to 24/7 power tonight. In Duhok, the first neighborhoods switched last night. In Sulaymaniyah, the move happened last month,” Ahmad posted on X.
It’s a big week for the Kurdistan Region on the electricity (#Runaki) front.
— Aziz Ahmad (@azizkahmad) March 28, 2025
Six new neighbourhoods in Erbil made the switch to 24/7 power tonight.
In Duhok, the first neighbourhoods switched last night. In Suli, the move happened last month.
Nearly half a million people and… pic.twitter.com/CSniurZOiz
Ahmad wrote that the KRG is on track to bring 24/7 electricity to all major city centers – Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Duhok – by the end of the year. “Erbil’s city center (inside the 120m Ring Road) will have 24/7 power by the end of May. This progress has already allowed us to shut down nearly 600 diesel-powered – and costly – neighborhood generators across all governorates, including nearly 30 last night in Duhok city center.”
Ahmad underlined that the guiding principle of Runaki remains supporting the vulnerable, and the government plans to announce more initiatives to back low-income households.
“A cultural shift will be needed, though – particularly in how electricity is used at home, in businesses, and by the government. It must be a national effort and program – in schools, community centers, and across the media. The KRG will invest in a national awareness and education campaign on responsible usage,” he concluded.
The neighbourhoods of Tayrawa, Mastufi, Minara, Salahaddin, Kuran Ankawa, and Ankawa in Erbil are now part of the Runaki Project. pic.twitter.com/14T9DKo1gb
— Runaki (@Runaki_gov_krd) March 28, 2025
Read More: KRG Prime Minister Promises 24-Hour Electricity Across Kurdistan by 2026
In October last year, KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani announced that 24-hour electricity will be provided to all of Kurdistan as part of the Runaki – which means “light” in Kurdish – project by the end of 2026.
For years, the Kurdistan Region has faced frequent power outages. The KRG’s Ninth Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Barzani, has committed to enhancing services throughout the region and to limiting air pollution.
