Ministry of Electricity announces new regulations to tackle illegal connections

Erbil, Kurdistan Region (GOV.KRD) — The Ministry of Electricity announces the launch of regulations to tackle electricity fraud in areas served by 24-hour electricity under Project Runaki. These regulations outline repercussions for the illegal bypassing or tampering of electricity meters and are meant to drive fair and safe electricity usage.

With immediate effect, customers caught committing electricity fraud will face penalties of up to 4 million Iraqi Dinars, be held liable for estimated consumption amounts, face legal consequences, and even service disconnection.

The Ministry emphasizes the importance of ensuring the fair use of 24-hour electricity by anyone who benefits from and pays for this national service. Additionally, it would like to inform citizens that any meter bypassing or tampering is extremely dangerous and may result in serious personal harm and damage liability through electrocution, fires, and even explosions.

To discourage unfair and unsafe electricity usage, the Ministry urges anyone who knows of meter bypassing or tampering instances to promptly report these through the Project Runaki call centre by dialling 1992.
The full regulations are available in Kurdish through the following file: Click here

Prime Minister Masrour Barzani announced the Runaki programme in October 2024 to deliver 24-hour electricity to every home and business in Kurdistan by the end of 2026. On 14-May the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Council of Ministers unanimously approved new, lower electricity tariffs for Project Runaki.

So far, more than 2 million citizens across Kurdistan are provided with uninterrupted electricity under Project Runaki, and the KRG plans to provide 24-hour electricity to the whole of Kurdistan by the end of 2026.