Kurdistan Region’s “Runaki” Project Phases Out Over 2,500 Private Generators, Boosts Air Quality and Cuts Noise Pollution
“Thank God, this project is very important and has spared us from generators, environmental pollution, and noise,” said Moayad Shukri, a resident of the Kwestan neighborhood in central Erbil. “Now we have electricity and water all day long.”
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — As the Kurdistan Region’s "Runaki" (Lighting) Project enters into full implementation, thousands of private diesel generators are being phased out across cities, leading to significant improvements in air quality and reductions in noise pollution — a shift that has been widely welcomed by residents now enjoying round-the-clock electricity.
Relief for Residents and Economic Savings
Citizens expressed immense relief at the development, praising the project for eliminating the constant noise and harmful emissions from generators. “Thank God, this project is very important and has spared us from generators, environmental pollution, and noise,” said Moayad Shukri, a resident of the Kwestan neighborhood in central Erbil. “Now we have electricity and water all day long.”
Waleed Ibrahim, who works in the real estate sector, emphasized the economic benefits. “I used to pay two electricity bills, one of which was just for the generator and reached up to 220,000 dinars. Now, with 24-hour electricity, my total bill doesn't exceed 100,000 dinars,” he explained. “This stability has also boosted the real estate market in Erbil.”
Noticeable Environmental Improvement
The Kurdistan Region’s Environment Board confirmed that the removal of private generators has directly contributed to better air quality. “Data we collected from four neighborhoods show a decline in fine particulate matter, polluting gases, and noise levels,” said Sanan Abdullah, the board’s spokesperson. “If the project is implemented across all of Erbil and the wider Region, the environmental and public health benefits will be immense.”
Statistics and Impact
According to official statistics, 2,517 private generators have been decommissioned throughout the Region, with the breakdown as follows:
Erbil: 1,734 generators
Sulaimani: 518 generators
Duhok: 265 generators
As the Runaki project continues to expand, cities across the Kurdistan Region are moving closer to achieving a cleaner, healthier environment, free from the pollution and health hazards long associated with diesel generators.
Kurdistan24's correspondent, Heverest Rajab, contributed to this report.
