KRG’s Runaki Project Ready to Assist Federal Government as Iraq’s Power Crisis Deepens

Peregraf

Aziz Ahmad, Deputy Chief of Staff to Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, highlighted the stark contrast in electricity stability between the Kurdistan Region and the rest of Iraq amid a nationwide power outage. Ahmad took to social media platform X to announce that Iraq’s entire electricity grid has shut down—excluding the Kurdistan Region—and warned that such blackouts will continue until the root causes of demand, load management, and consumption are addressed.

“The KRG’s Runaki initiative aims to tackle this through responsible usage, demand control, and new tariffs,” Ahmad wrote. “The rest of Iraq must pursue the same path.” He added that the KRG Ministry of Electricity is coordinating with the federal government to provide support and technical assistance to restore power across Iraq as quickly as possible.

Nationwide power outage hits Iraq today. MP Mohammed Nuri Abd Raba, head of parliament’s electricity & energy committee, says a technical fault in transmission lines caused the blackout.

Runaki Project Brings 24-Hour Power to Millions

Launched in October 2024 by Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, the Runaki (“Lighting”) project has reached a significant milestone, now providing uninterrupted 24-hour electricity to over 2.7 million residents—about 40% of the Kurdistan Region’s population—according to the project’s management. The initiative aims for full 24/7 coverage by the end of 2026.

Runaki is designed to replace the region’s decades-long reliance on private diesel generators, which have been the default during frequent blackouts but contribute heavily to air pollution and health hazards. The project has already reshaped daily life in key cities such as Erbil, Sulaimani, Duhok, and Halabja by stabilizing electricity supply and changing consumer habits.

Changing Consumption Through Tiered Tariffs

Central to Runaki’s success is a tiered electricity pricing model that ranges from 72 to 350 Iraqi dinars per kilowatt-hour, encouraging households to reduce consumption and switch to more energy-efficient appliances. Government data shows that about 80% of connected households now pay less than they did when combining national grid power with private generators. 

This tariff structure promotes responsible electricity use, balancing affordability with sustainability—a vital step toward managing the Kurdistan Region’s growing demand.

The KRG has already shut down over 2,100 neighborhood-level private generators in provincial capitals, with plans to phase out more than 7,000 by the end of 2026. The goal is to eliminate these generators entirely in all four provincial centers by late next year, reducing air pollution and public health risks. 

Private generators have long been criticized for using low-quality fuel sourced from illegal refineries, significantly contributing to pollution-related illnesses including respiratory diseases and cancer, as revealed in a prior Peregraf investigation. 

Overcoming Challenges for Sustainable Energy

Despite the project’s progress, Runaki faces challenges. Delays in securing financial support for solar energy installations and alternative power systems have slowed broader diversification efforts. The KRG continues to prioritize integrating renewable energy to complement the national grid and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

KRG officials describe Runaki as a cornerstone of both energy reform and environmental protection in the region. They emphasize that beyond simply restoring power, the initiative represents a long-term strategy for stability, health, and economic development.

Call for Federal Cooperation

Aziz Ahmad’s message underscores the need for Iraq’s federal government to adopt similar reforms to address chronic power shortages affecting the rest of the country. The KRG’s willingness to share expertise and technical assistance signals a rare area of potential cooperation amid broader political tensions.

As Iraq grapples with repeated blackouts nationwide, the Runaki project offers a glimpse of how focused management, pricing reforms, and infrastructure investment can transform electricity provision—bringing hope for a more reliable and sustainable energy future in the Kurdistan Region and beyond.