24-Hour Electricity Tariffs Announced; 'Too Expensive' – Campaign Against It Begins

Peregraf

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Council of Ministers has approved a draft resolution for the Runaki (24-hour electricity) project. Under this plan, the minimum price per kilowatt-hour (kWh) is set at 72 dinars ($0.05), with a maximum of 350 dinars ($0.25). The decision has triggered immediate backlash, with critics calling it a price hike and a commercialization of electricity. The head of the Halawest faction in the Kurdistan Parliament has announced a campaign against the measure.

New Electricity Pricing Structure

According to the resolution—passed by majority vote during today’s KRG cabinet meeting—the new Runaki tariffs will be applied based on monthly household electricity consumption:

Consumption Tier (kWh/month)

1 – 400: 72 dinars ($0.05)

401 – 800: 108 dinars ($0.08)

801 – 1,200: 175 dinars ($0.12)

1,201 – 1,600: 265 dinars ($0.19)

1,601+: 350 dinars ($0.25)

Government Defends the Project

In today’s meeting, KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani described the Runaki project as one of the KRG’s most significant achievements, stating it fulfills a long-standing public demand and a fundamental right for citizens.

Barzani claimed, For most people, the cost under Runaki will be lower than what they currently pay for both private generators (mwlidah) and national grid electricity combined.

Immediate Opposition & Public Backlash

However, the announcement was swiftly criticized. Ali Hamasalih, head of the Halwest faction in the Kurdistan Parliament, declared: “The new electricity prices are too high, and we reject them.”

He later posted on Facebook: “Starting tonight, we will launch a widespread campaign against the electricity price hike. The people’s living conditions must be considered when setting tariffs.”

KRG Spokesman: “A Major Achievement for the People”

KRG spokesperson Peshawa Hawramani praised the project as a major accomplishment of the Barzani cabinet for the people of Kurdistan. He emphasized:

“The Runaki project considers citizens’ financial conditions. Nearly 80% of the population will pay less for electricity than before.”

The government aims to implement the project across all governorates by the end of 2025, with full coverage in the Kurdistan Region by 2026.

Based on the new tariffs:

400 kWh/month → 28,800 dinars ($20.28)

800 kWh/month → 72,000 dinars ($50.70)

1,200 kWh/month → 142,000 dinars ($100.00)

1,600 kWh/month → 248,000 dinars ($174.65)

2,000 kWh/month → 388,000 dinars ($273.24)

Critics: “Prices Have Skyrocketed”

Omar Gulpi, former member of the Kurdistan Parliament’s Finance Committee, argued the new rates are unaffordable for average families. He stated: “A typical household consumes at least 1,200 kWh/month in summer and winter. Previously, this cost 31,000 dinars ($21.83), but under the new commercialized pricing, families must now pay 142,000 dinars ($100.00)—a 4.5-fold increase.”

He also criticized the tiered pricing structure, pointing to steep jumps:

Tier 1 (1–400 kWh): from 18 dinars ($0.01) → 72 dinars ($0.05)

Tier 2 (401–800 kWh): from 24 dinars ($0.02) → 108 dinars ($0.08)

Tier 3 (801–1,200 kWh): from 42 dinars ($0.03) → 175 dinars ($0.12)

Tier 4 (1,201–1,600 kWh): from 50 dinars ($0.04) → 265 dinars ($0.19)

Tier 5 (1,601+ kWh): from 72 dinars ($0.05) → 350 dinars ($0.25)

Gulpi warned: “Electricity has become a commercial commodity—no longer a public service.”

KRG’s Argument: “People Will Pay Less Overall”

KRG officials argue that, compared to past combined expenses for national grid electricity and private generators, Runaki will reduce overall household energy costs.

However, Gulpi countered: “Our detailed analysis shows that most average households will pay more—some double or even triple what they previously paid.”

The Runaki project is a flagship initiative of the 9th KRG Cabinet, aiming to deliver 24-hour electricity across the Kurdistan Region.

Prime Minister Barzani emphasized: “This is a national project, owned by the Ministry of Electricity and implemented by local public-sector expertise. It brings significant environmental and health benefits by reducing reliance on private generators.”

Still, with the average monthly household income in Kurdistan not exceeding 650,000 dinars ($457.75), critics argue the new tariffs place an unbearable burden on working families.

As the KRG proceeds with implementation, public discourse over affordability and equity intensifies. With opposition groups mobilizing, the coming weeks will show whether the government revises its pricing—or holds firm.

(Exchange rate used: 1 USD = 1,420 Iraqi dinars)