Runaki Project to Shut Down 7,000 Private Generators Across the Kurdistan Region
The Runaki (Light) Project is a national initiative by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), aimed at providing 24-hour electricity across the entire Kurdistan Region by the end of 2026.
One of the project’s most significant achievements is the shutdown of approximately 7,000 private diesel generators throughout the region.
These generators were a major source of environmental pollution in the Kurdistan Region. Key data from this phase of the Runaki Project are outlined below:
1. A total of 1,260 private generators have been decommissioned across the region: 1,092 in Erbil, 79 in Slemani, and 89 in Duhok.
2. This figure represents 17% of all private generators previously operating in the Kurdistan Region.
3. The shutdown of these generators is estimated to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 240,000 tonnes per year—equivalent to removing approximately 250,000 vehicles from the roads.
Environmental Impact of Deactivating Private Generators Under the Runaki Project by 2026:
1. By the end of 2026, the project will have fully phased out private generators, resulting in an estimated annual reduction of 1.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.
2. This reduction is equivalent to removing 1.3 million vehicles from the roads.
3. The initiative will contribute to a 4% decrease in overall carbon dioxide emissions in the Kurdistan Region.
Implementation Approach:
1. The Runaki Project has established agreements with private generator owners to deactivate their generators, limiting their use to emergency backup only.
2. As a result, over 1 million public electricity consumers now enjoy uninterrupted 24-hour electricity supply provided directly by the project.
3. Throughout the duration of the project, private generator owners have consistently received their agreed monthly compensation.
Categories of Generators Decommissioned Under the Runaki Project:
1. Private generators serving residential areas
2. Generators owned by individual households
3. Generators powering commercial establishments, including hotels and restaurants
4. Generators located in public areas, such as parks
Financial Benefits:
1. 80% of citizens now pay less than they previously did for a combination of private generator and public electricity services.
2. In the past, low-income households spent up to 30% of their monthly income on private generator costs.
3. Now, citizens are billed solely based on their actual electricity usage.
Health and Environmental Benefits of the Runaki Project:
1. The project reduces harmful emissions by shutting down residential private generators, significantly cutting the release of carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, and other toxic gases.
2. It prevents soil and water contamination by ending the improper disposal of wastewater and used oil.
3. It conserves approximately 1 million square metres of water annually that was previously used to cool private generators.
4. It reduces noise pollution by removing generators that operated at noise levels 50% to 100% above acceptable standards.
Department of Media and Information