ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - The Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) landmark Runaki Project provides nearly 5.5 million people, over 85 percent of the population, round-the-clock electricity, according to electricity ministry data obtained by The New Region on Thursday.

The initiative has also led to 5,917 private generators being phased out, leading to an over 1.1 million ton reduction in carbon dioxide emissions annually.

For the first three months, the project provides subscribers with 50, 25, and 15 percent discounts on their bills respectively.

The Runaki project was announced by Prime Minister Masrour Barzani in October 2024, aiming to eliminate the electricity issues that the Region has struggled with for decades.

Erbil has the highest number of beneficiaries, sitting at 1,935,000; Sulaimani comes in second at 1,345,000; and Duhok third with 495,000.

Earlier this month, Hazim Karim, head of Garmiyan’s electricity department, told The New Region that the administration is set to receive 24-hour electricity as the project continues expanding.

The development is set to add yet another 85,000 beneficiaries.

The initiative is also expected to produce significant environmental benefits through the replacement of private, diesel-powered generators that are highly polluting. “The KRG plans to phase out over 7,000 generators by the end of 2026,” a prior KRG statement asserted.