The Runaki Program Advancing Reliable and Sustainable Power in the Kurdistan Region

Since the fall of the former regime in 2003, successive governments in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region have faced persistent challenges in providing continuous electricity to citizens. Despite numerous initiatives, including Iraq’s Integrated National Energy Strategy (INES) of 2013 and earlier plans by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to achieve 24-hour power by 2011, the goal of round-the-clock electricity remained elusive.

In the early post-2003 years, the Kurdistan Region received as little as two hours of electricity per day. By 2012, supply had improved significantly to 20–22 hours daily, largely due to the use of private diesel generators. However, these generators were costly and environmentally damaging, producing noise, air pollution, and high fuel consumption. The long-standing promise of uninterrupted power remained unmet.

A Renewed Commitment Under the Ninth Cabinet

The Ninth Cabinet of the KRG, led by Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, placed the improvement of public services—especially electricity—at the centre of its reform agenda. Recognising that reliable electricity is fundamental for both citizens’ well-being and economic growth, the government pledged to end chronic power shortages.

In July 2020, Prime Minister Barzani announced plans to expand domestic gas production to support the generation of stable and affordable electricity. By May 2023, he reaffirmed this commitment, acknowledging that while new power plants had been added, increasing population and industrial growth continued to strain the national grid.

“Currently, the national grid does not have the capacity to supply electricity around the clock,” the Prime Minister stated. “However, if citizens settle their debts to the government, we can provide 24-hour electricity at a cost comparable to, or even less than, private generators. Doing so would free our neighbourhoods from the noise and pollution caused by these generators.”

The Launch of the Runaki (“Light”) Program

In October 2024, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani launched the Runaki Program—named after the Kurdish word for light—as one of the most ambitious service initiatives in the history of the Kurdistan Region. The program was formally approved by the Council of Ministers in May 2025, marking a milestone in the government’s efforts to provide 24-hour electricity for all citizens by the end of 2026.

“The Runaki project is one of the most important service initiatives for the citizens of the Kurdistan Region,” the Prime Minister stated during a visit to a neighbourhood in Erbil. “Our goal is to ensure 24-hour electricity availability across the entire region by the end of 2026.”

 

Rapid Expansion and Early Success

The Runaki Program expanded swiftly across the Kurdistan Region. By July 9, 2025, the Ministry of Electricity announced that more than two million citizens—approximately 30% of the population—had access to 24-hour electricity, including residents of Erbil, Slemani, and Duhok.

The initiative drew international recognition. On July 10, the U.S. Consulate General in Erbil praised the program as a “vital step forward for the Kurdistan Region.” Just weeks later, by August 28, 2025, the number of citizens benefiting from 24-hour power had doubled to four million, representing half of the population. The province of Halabja became the first in Kurdistan to achieve full, uninterrupted electricity coverage.

“I’m pleased to announce that Halabja is the first province to switch entirely to 24-hour electricity,” Prime Minister Barzani wrote on X. “Congratulations, Kurdistan.”

These achievements came at a time when other parts of Iraq—including Baghdad, Basra, and Najaf—continued to experience severe power shortages and public protests during the summer heat.

Protecting the Environment

Beyond improving daily life, the Runaki Program has had a transformative environmental impact. The expansion of 24-hour electricity enabled the shutdown of more than 3,200 diesel generators, which had long contributed to air pollution and respiratory problems in urban areas.

By August 2025, these closures had led to an estimated annual reduction of 600,000 tons of CO₂ emissions—a major contribution to cleaner air and improved public health. The initiative aligns with one of the Ninth Cabinet’s key priorities: environmental protection and the fight against climate change.

Lowering Costs for Citizens

The Runaki Program also brought substantial financial relief to households. Under the new tariff system, citizens now pay for electricity based on actual usage, rather than fixed fees to private generator owners. The government allocated 1.4 billion Iraqi dinars in household credits to ease the transition, with more than 60,000 families receiving financial support, and 10,000 households—particularly low-income families—receiving zero bills.
In many areas, including Erbil’s Shadi neighbourhood, up to 90% of households benefited from these adjustments. Government data from June 2025 show that 80% of households now pay less for electricity than they did previously for both grid and generator power combined, with half of households billed less than 28,000 IQD per month.
“Eighty percent of households are now paying less than before,” Prime Minister Barzani stated. “But we must also use electricity responsibly—avoiding waste and consuming power according to our needs.”

Fulfilling Promises and Building a Sustainable Future

The path toward 24-hour electricity in the Kurdistan Region has been long and challenging, marked by decades of partial progress and dependence on costly generators. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and the Ninth Cabinet, the KRG is finally turning longstanding promises into tangible results.
The Runaki Program stands as a symbol of effective governance, environmental responsibility, and social progress—bringing cleaner, more affordable, and reliable energy to millions of citizens. While work continues to extend the program’s coverage across the entire region by 2026, its achievements already demonstrate that sustained government commitment, sound policy, and public cooperation can transform essential services and improve lives across Kurdistan.

Department of Media and Information