Nearly 4 million citizens now enjoy 24-hour electricity through Runaki programme
Erbil, Kurdistan Region – The Ministry o Electricity is pleased to announce today that nearly 4 million citizens, or more than 50% of the Kurdistan Region population, now have access to 24-hour electricity under the Runaki programme.
This step makes Halabja the first governorate to fully join Runaki in Iraq and Kurdistan Region.
Today’s switch marks a significant milestone as citizens across the major cities of Erbil and its outskirts, Slemani, Duhok and Halabja now have access to 24-hour electricity ahead of schedule.
Table 1: Breakdown of the latest number of citizens and subscribers under Runaki
City Number of Subscribers Number of Citizens
Erbil 504,000 1,935,000
Slemani 351,000 1,345,000
Duhok 94,000 351,000
Halabja 38,000 139,000
Total 987,000 3,770,000Number of subscribers
Table 2: The latest number of neighbourhood diesel generators phased out under Runaki
City Number of Generators Phased Out Estimated Annual CO2 Emissions Reductions (tonnes)
Erbil 2,197 410,000
Slemani 604 112,000
Duhok 356 63,000
Halabja 65 15,000
Total 3,222 600,000
Over 3,200 neighbourhood diesel generators have now been phased out across Kurdistan. By the end of 2026, the KRG plans to have phased out over 7,000 generators.
The KRG previously announced that subscribers in the Runaki programme saw record-low bills in June. This is due to the KRG’s new progressive tariff designed to protect low-income households and encourage responsible consumption. Under the new Runaki tariffs, 80% of citizens pay less than the previous cost of neighbourhood diesel generators and the national grid combined.
Prime Minister Masrour Barzani announced the Runaki programme in October 2024 to deliver 24-hour electricity to every home and business by the end of 2026. The KRG Council of Ministers unanimously approved the national programme in May.
