KRG's Runaki Project Expands in Duhok

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) ambitious Runaki Project, aimed at providing uninterrupted electricity to all citizens, is making significant progress in Duhok.

The initiative, which has already seen successful implementation in Amedi and central Duhok, is now expanding to three additional neighborhoods in the city.

Authorities say the project will ensure 24-hour electricity to all residents of Duhok by the end of this year, with plans to extend it across the Kurdistan Region by 2026.

Ardalan Doski, Director General of the Office of the Ministry of Electricity of the Kurdistan Regional Government, confirmed the latest developments in an exclusive statement to Kurdistan24.

“Following the successful implementation of the first phase of the Runaki Project in Amedi district, Duhok market, and various residential projects, we are now entering the next phase,” Doski said. “Currently, our teams are installing meters for over 11,000 electricity subscribers in the neighborhoods of Sarhaldan, Baroshki, and Kani Mahmadki in central Duhok. By the end of this month, these areas will have continuous electricity.”

Doski further reiterated the ministry’s long-term commitment to energy reform. “According to our strategic plan, by the end of 2025, the entire city of Duhok will benefit from the Runaki Project, ensuring stable and reliable electricity for all subscribers. Furthermore, by the end of 2026, we will have implemented this project across the entire Kurdistan Region.”

The Runaki Project is part of a broader initiative by the KRG to address chronic electricity shortages and eliminate reliance on private generators, which have long been a source of pollution, noise, and economic strain for residents.

The project follows a pricing structure aligned with global standards while taking into account the income levels of citizens. It also introduces mechanisms to support low-income families and middle-class consumers who use moderate amounts of electricity.

While the project has been widely welcomed, it has also faced opposition. Addressing the critics, Doski said, “It is clear who opposes this project—those who have exploited the national electricity system for personal gain, those who have violated regulations, and those who have evaded paying their electricity bills for years. They do not want a solution to the electricity crisis because they have benefitted from the system’s flaws. The Runaki Project puts an end to such practices and ensures fair electricity distribution for all citizens.”

Key Benefits of the Runaki Project

According to Doski, the project offers numerous advantages:

- It guarantees 24-hour electricity, effectively solving the long-standing power crisis.
- The pricing is based on international standards and considers per capita income, making it affordable for residents.
- It accommodates lower-income families and middle-class consumers who use less power.
 -Reducing subsidies for national electricity fees ensures better revenue for expanding and modernizing the grid.
- It eliminates the environmental and health risks associated with private generators, which contribute to pollution and increase the risk of cancer.
- It establishes a fair and transparent system of electricity distribution while reducing illegal power usage.
- It decreases excessive energy consumption, extends the lifespan of electrical appliances, and enhances household safety by reducing the risk of electrical fires.

Implementation in Erbil and Sulaimani

As part of the KRG’s continued commitment to expanding 24-hour electricity access, the Runaki Project has already been implemented in several neighborhoods of Erbil and Sulaimani. More than 350,000 citizens are currently benefiting from the initiative.

In Erbil, neighborhoods where the Runaki Project has been implemented include Zanyari, Tajil, Araban, Minara, Shadi, New Bahari, Naznaz, Bakhtiari, Sarbasti, Kuran, Kurdistan, Majidawa, Rizgari, Bahar, Krekaran, Azadi, Rasti, Nishtiman, Raperin, Nawroz, and Mardin.

In Sulaimani, the project has been introduced in neighborhoods such as Ibrahim Pasha, Sabunkaran, Darogha, Haji Han, Orzi Street, Salim Beg, and Khanaqa.

As implementation progresses, the KRG remains steadfast in its goal to provide uninterrupted electricity across the entire Kurdistan Region. With the Runaki Project expanding rapidly, residents of Duhok and beyond can expect a future free from power outages, ensuring a more stable and sustainable energy system for generations to come.