Energy Transformation in the Kurdistan Region: Clean Electricity Economy within the Scope of the Runaki Project

This study will examine the economic impacts of a transformation in which clean energy becomes more prevalent in the Kurdistan Region, within the scope of the Runaki Project. The elimination of approximately 3,200 private generators within the scope of the Runaki Project marks the first step in transitioning to clean electricity in the Kurdistan Region. Thanks to the Runaki, cities such as Erbil, Duhok, Slemani, Halabja, and their districts started to have access to clean electricity and benefit from uninterrupted electrical energy. Before the Runaki Project, electricity costs in the Kurdistan Region were reflected in high bills due to private generators that took advantage of power outages and caused air pollution. Therefore, people’s budgets were negatively affected due to high electricity costs. In line with the decision taken by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), with an investment of approximately $200 million regarding the Runaki Project, works are ongoing to eliminate air pollution, provide clean and uninterrupted electricity, and ensure that affordable electricity will be widespread throughout the Kurdistan Region by the end of 2026. In the long term, the transition to clean energy in the Kurdistan Region within the scope of the Runaki Project is expected to contribute to economic growth and prevent the recent slowdown in productivity in the Kurdistan Region. It is envisioned that the Runaki Project will contribute to economic prosperity in the Kurdistan Region within the context of the 2030-2050 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and as a measure to mitigate the climate crisis resulting from global warming. In this context, the Runaki Project has observed that efforts to combat inflation, increase employment, and prevent recession in the Kurdistan Region are accelerating, yielding numerous economic benefits. The Runaki Project will enhance the electricity grid, lower electricity costs throughout the Kurdistan Region, and provide additional savings for the citizens of the Kurdistan Region.