Good News: 24-Hour Electricity Reaches Millions in Iraqi Kurdistan
The Runaki project, launched on 17 October 2024, had brought 24-hour grid electricity to nearly 4.5 million people by October 2025, with full regional coverage targeted for the end of 2026. Tariffs are tiered, and the KRG says 80% of citizens now pay less than before.
Published
The Kurdistan Region of Iraq is living through one of its biggest infrastructure transformations in years. The Runaki project (Kurdish for "light"), launched on 17 October 2024, is step by step replacing neighborhood generators with 24-hour electricity from the national grid. According to the region's Ministry of Electricity, nearly 4.5 million people were covered by round-the-clock power as of October 2025, and the official goal is full coverage of the region by the end of 2026.
What happened?
For decades, grid power in the region ran only part of the day, forcing households to buy "ampere subscriptions" from private neighborhood generators: two bills, two sets of wiring, and the constant hum of engines. Runaki changes that equation: stable grid power, one meter, one bill. The tangible result in the regional capital, according to the government (November 2025), is that around 350 private generators have been switched off in Erbil — a gradual farewell to the smoke and noise of neighborhood generator sheds.
What are the new tariffs?
Runaki's tiered tariff was announced on 14 May 2025 by KRG spokesperson Peshawa Hawramani. The more you consume, the higher the rate per kilowatt-hour:
- 0 to 400 kWh: 72 dinars per kWh (about $0.06)
- 400 to 800 kWh: 108 dinars
- 800 to 1,200 kWh: 175 dinars
- 1,200 to 1,600 kWh: 265 dinars; 1,600 to 2,000 kWh: 350 dinars
- Temporary subsidy for the first three months: 50%, 25% or 15% off depending on consumption
For a sense of scale: a household consuming 670 kWh a month pays roughly $46.70, while heavy use equivalent to a constant 10-ampere load can reach 248,000 dinars (about $200). More importantly, according to the KRG, 80% of citizens pay less under the Runaki tariff than their previous combined "grid + neighborhood generator" bills.
According to the Kurdistan Regional Government: 80% of citizens pay less under the Runaki tariff than their previous combined grid and neighborhood generator bills.
What does it mean for residents and travelers?
For residents, Runaki means simplicity and peace of mind: a fridge and air conditioner that no longer cut out in the middle of the day, one transparent bill instead of two separate payments, and neighborhoods gradually freed from generator smoke and noise. For travelers and anyone planning to rent a home in Erbil or Sulaymaniyah, there is a practical takeaway too: before signing a lease, ask whether the neighborhood is covered by Runaki; in areas not yet covered, the old "neighborhood generator ampere subscription" system still applies, with monthly costs that vary by season.
Bill payment has been modernized too: since February 2026, KRG government payments — starting with electricity bills — have moved onto a digital platform approved by the Central Bank of Iraq, with payment channels including the e-Psule app, the FastPay, AsiaPay and NassWallet wallets, and the FIB and Cihan banks.
Frequently asked questions
When did the Runaki project start?
On 17 October 2024. Since that date, 24-hour grid electricity has been gradually replacing neighborhood generators across the Kurdistan Region.
How many people have 24-hour electricity now?
According to the region's Ministry of Electricity, nearly 4.5 million people were covered by October 2025, with full regional coverage targeted for the end of 2026.
What is the Runaki electricity tariff?
It is tiered (announced 14 May 2025): starting at 72 dinars per kWh for the 0-400 kWh tier and rising to 350 dinars for the 1,600-2,000 kWh tier, with a 50% to 15% subsidy for the first three months.
Have people's bills gone up under Runaki?
According to the KRG, the opposite: 80% of citizens pay less under the Runaki tariff than their previous combined "grid + neighborhood generator" bills. For example, a household consuming 670 kWh a month pays roughly $46.70.
How can the electricity bill be paid?
Since February 2026, electricity bill payment has moved to a digital platform approved by the Central Bank of Iraq: the e-Psule app, the FastPay, AsiaPay and NassWallet wallets, and the FIB and Cihan banks.
Runaki is not finished yet — some neighborhoods are still waiting for coverage — but its direction is clear: a region where electricity is no longer a daily worry. At Kurdoff we are following the project's completion through the end of 2026 and will publish updates right here for Kurdistan's residents and travelers.
