Sulaimani Downtown Enjoys 24-Hour Power Supply Through Runaki Program
In its final phase, the program supplied uninterrupted power to five zones and 32 neighborhoods across the city center, allowing the shutdown of more than 600 private generators.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The Runaki program has delivered 24-hour electricity to all neighborhoods in downtown Sulaimani, ending decades of dependence on diesel generators and providing significant relief for citizens and businesses.
In its final phase, the program supplied uninterrupted power to five zones and 32 neighborhoods across the city center, allowing the shutdown of more than 600 private generators. Officials say the development has not only improved residents’ quality of life but also reduced noise pollution and environmental hazards.
Local business owners report noticeable benefits. Mohammed Dawood, a supermarket owner in Sulaimani, said his monthly expenses have dropped sharply since the program began. “Before, I paid around 160,000 Iraqi dinars for a private generator to run six refrigerators, and sometimes we had to turn them off too due to power shortages,” he told Kurdistan24. “Now, thanks to Runaki, our work has become much easier, and we can operate without a worry."
Citizens have also welcomed the program’s affordability. According to reports, most households now pay less than 20,000 dinars for electricity bills—significantly cheaper than generator subscriptions.
Residents say the initiative marks a major step forward for the city. Salah Jalal, a Sulaimani resident, praised the achievement but called on people to use electricity wisely to avoid overloading the networks.
The Runaki program is seen as both an economic and environmental success, ensuring reliable power while creating a cleaner, quieter city.
According to official data, the Runaki program currently serves:
1- 1.93 million citizens in Erbil through 504,000 subscribers.
2- 1.34 million citizens in Sulaimani with 351,000 subscribers.
3- 351,000 citizens in Duhok with 94,000 subscribers.
4- 139,000 citizens in Halabja with 38,000 subscribers.
By the end of 2026, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) aims to remove more than 7,000 diesel generators, marking one of the most ambitious clean energy transitions in the region’s history.
On August 28, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani announced that 24-hour electricity has now been established in the centers of Erbil, Sulaimani, Duhok, and Halabja under the KRG's Runaki program.
“As we promised, 24-hour electricity has reached the centers of Erbil, Sulaimani, Duhok, and Halabja ahead of schedule,” Prime Minister Barzani said. He emphasized that Halabja is the first province in both the Kurdistan Region and Iraq to achieve full access to 24-hour electricity.
Launched in October 2024, the Runaki program has already provided around 4 million citizens—more than 50% of the Kurdistan Region’s population—and over 115,000 businesses with uninterrupted power. The Prime Minister described the achievement as a milestone reached in less than a year.
Barzani highlighted the broader impact of the program, noting that more than 3,200 neighborhood diesel generators have been decommissioned, leading to cleaner air and safer neighborhoods. “Statistics show that households and businesses have changed their consumption habits: they use less, and nearly 80% of participants now pay less than they previously did for private generators,” he stated.
The Prime Minister underlined that reliable electricity is not merely a utility, but a foundation for social welfare, economic growth, and environmental health.
Looking ahead, Barzani reaffirmed his government’s commitment to extending the program to all parts of the Kurdistan Region: “Our commitment remains strong—every home and business will have 24-hour electricity by the end of 2026.”
He also extended an offer of cooperation to the federal government. “We are ready to assist other parts of Iraq in providing 24-hour electricity,” he concluded.
The Runaki program is designed to phase out reliance on costly private generators and ensure every household has access to continuous electricity, significantly improving both quality of life and environmental sustainability in the Kurdistan Region.
