Statement by Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on the KRG’s Runaki program

Nearly 4 million people across the Kurdistan Region — and over 115,000 businesses — now have 24-hour electricity through the KRG’s Runaki program. That’s more than 50% of the population, achieved in less than a year since the announcement of the program in October 2024.

In line with our public promise, and ahead of schedule, 24-hour power has reached the city centers of Erbil, Slemani, Duhok and Halabja. I’m pleased to announce that Halabja is the first province in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq to switch entirely to 24-hour electricity.

Runaki is not just about reliable electricity; it’s about community well-being. To date, over 3,200 neighborhood diesel generators have been shut down, making our neighborhoods cleaner, healthier and safer for our children.

The data shows households and businesses have changed their behavior too: they consume less and nearly 80% of the public pay less under the Runaki program than they did to diesel generators.

We still have work to do. Our promise stands — every home and business will have 24-hour electricity by the end of 2026.

Masrour Barzani