ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The number of private solar energy users in the Kurdistan Region’s eastern Sulaimani province has more than doubled over the past six months, surpassing 1,000 partners, the local electricity directorate said on Wednesday. Siwarn Mohammed, spokesperson for the Sulaimani General Directorate of Electricity, told Rudaw that “in the past six months, the number of partners generating electricity through solar energy has reached 1,033 - a 100 percent increase during that period.” The use of solar power is rising across Sulaimani as households turn to sustainable and cost-effective alternatives. As of mid-February, only 510 users had installed private solar systems in the province, the directorate confirmed. Mohammed noted that Sulaimani currently leads the Kurdistan Region in private solar power generation, producing around 23.37 megawatts per month. This figure excludes unregistered users who have also installed solar systems independently. In May, spokesperson for the Sulaimani General Directorate of Electricity had announced that the largest solar power station in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region is set to open northwest of Sulaimani. Built by Delta Cement, the plant is expected to produce 50 megawatts of electricity but has not yet been inaugurated. Electricity shortages remain a frequent issue in the Kurdistan Region driven by high demand, financial constraints, and fuel supply problems. Residents have traditionally relied on private diesel generators, which are costly and polluting. In response, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is advancing efforts to reform and stabilize the energy sector. A key initiative is the “Runaki” project - meaning “light” in Kurdish - which aims to provide uninterrupted, 24-hour electricity across the Region. However, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has been adopting initiatives to better regulate the sector in the Region, a cornerstone of which is the Runaki - light in Kurdish - project which aims to provide uninterrupted 24-hour power across Kurdistan. On Thursday, the electricity ministry announced that more than 2,500 private generators have been decommissioned as the Runaki initiative expands to nearly three million people. Aziz Ahmad, deputy chief of staff to Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, announced in a Thursday statement on X that “for anyone considering solar rooftops: The KRG’s 24-hour Runaki program will soon offer net-metering across the Kurdistan Region. “If you’ve installed solar and register, your output into the grid will be deducted from your monthly electricity bill [under the Runaki project],” he added, noting that “early pilots show savings of up to 30 percent during summer.” The Iraqi government is also promoting solar energy as part of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address long-standing electricity shortages, especially during the scorching summer months when temperatures can exceed 50 degrees Celsius. The Central Bank of Iraq is offering low-interest loans for individuals and businesses looking to install solar panels.
