The Kurdistan Regional Government has expanded round-the-clock electricity access to more than 85% of the population under its Runaki initiative. The Ministry of Electricity announced that nearly 5.5 million citizens now receive continuous power across the region.
The latest phase includes several key administrations. These are Soran, Zakho, Raparin, Koya, Pirmam, Akre, and Simele. Officials describe this expansion as a major step toward modernizing the region’s energy system.
To support residents during the transition, authorities introduced temporary discounts. Households in newly connected areas will receive reduced tariffs for three months. The discounts are set at 50% in the first month, 25% in the second, and 15% in the third.
Government data shows that the program now covers about 5,491,900 people. It also serves around 1,470,000 electricity subscribers. Erbil province holds the largest share of coverage. Sulaimani and Duhok follow, while Halabja and newly added areas continue to expand.
At the same time, the government has reduced reliance on private diesel generators. Officials report that more than 5,900 neighborhood generators have already been shut down. This figure represents about 85% of the total. The reduction has lowered carbon emissions by over 1.1 million tonnes each year.
The government plans to remove more than 7,000 generators by the end of 2026. This goal forms part of a broader strategy to improve energy efficiency and reduce pollution.
Prime Minister Masrour Barzani first announced the Runaki initiative in October 2024. The plan aims to deliver 24-hour electricity to all homes and businesses by the end of 2026. The Council of Ministers later approved the project unanimously in May.
Officials say progress is steady and further expansion will continue in the coming months.
