Latest news with #Kulak
Al Bawaba
21-05-2025
- General
- Al Bawaba
Iraq Launches First Fully Solar-Powered Village
Iraq's first fully solar-powered village has officially opened in Kulak, delivering off-grid electricity and sustainable infrastructure in response to the growing impact of climate change across the region. The project, developed by the Erbil-based Rwanga Foundation, went live on May 20 and aims to serve as a model for renewable energy deployment and climate adaptation in vulnerable rural communities. Kulak Solar Village operates entirely on solar power, providing continuous electricity and infrastructure to support solar-driven irrigation and future training in regenerative agriculture. Rwanga Foundation President Idris Nechirvan Barzani said the project was part of a broader effort to promote environmental self-sufficiency and strengthen rural livelihoods. 'Our vision is to see this model grow across Iraq—one village at a time—until sustainability becomes the standard,' he said. The initiative comes as Iraq faces increasing environmental stress, including prolonged heatwaves, water shortages, and desertification. The United Nations recently ranked Iraq as one of the world's five most climate-vulnerable countries. Kulak Solar Village forms a key part of the foundation's Green Kurdistan campaign, which aims to expand the model across Kurdistan and central Iraq by 2030 in cooperation with regional governments and international partners. Rwanga's wider environmental efforts have included planting over 200,000 trees and investing in educational and youth programmes aimed at long-term climate response.
Zawya
21-05-2025
- General
- Zawya
Iraq launches first fully solar-powered village in bid to tackle climate crisis
Iraq's first fully off-grid, solar-powered village has officially opened in the town of Kulak, signalling a new approach to tackling climate and energy challenges in the region. Developed by the Erbil-based Rwanga Foundation, the project supplies round-the-clock electricity to the village entirely through solar energy. It also incorporates systems for agricultural irrigation and is set to deliver training in climate-conscious farming techniques. The initiative comes as Iraq faces increasing environmental pressure. The United Nations recently listed the country among the five most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, citing extreme heat, desertification, and water shortages. Speaking at the launch, Idris Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Rwanga Foundation, said the project aims to support local communities with practical tools to address environmental threats while strengthening local infrastructure. Plans are in place to replicate the model in other parts of Kurdistan and central Iraq by 2030. The project forms part of the foundation's broader Green Kurdistan campaign, developed in partnership with regional authorities and international agencies. In addition to energy access, the initiative is expected to support food production and land restoration. The foundation has previously led reforestation campaigns, including the planting of more than 200,000 trees over the past five years. Rwanga's latest development is being positioned as a locally driven effort to provide rural communities with the means to withstand worsening environmental conditions through sustainable energy and agricultural practices.
Shafaq News
20-05-2025
- General
- Shafaq News
No more darkness: Rwanga lights the way in Erbil
Shafaq News/ On Tuesday, the Rwanga Foundation has inaugurated Iraq's first fully off-grid, solar-powered village in Erbil's Harir district, delivering 24/7 electricity part of its sustainability campaign. The Kulak Solar Village provides power to 36 homes, a mosque, a school, and a community hall, using 195 solar panels for a total capacity of 535 amperes, according to the Foundation. The project is part of Rwanga's Green Kurdistan campaign and contributes to its Sustainable Livelihoods initiative, which includes agricultural training and food security programs. It integrates renewable energy with climate adaptation, with plans for solar-powered irrigation systems and training in regenerative farming. 'Our vision is to see this model grow across Iraq until sustainability becomes the standard,' said Idris Nechirvan Barzani, Founder and President of the Rwanga Foundation. Rwanga plans to replicate the Kulak model across rural areas in Kurdistan and central Iraq by 2030, in partnership with regional authorities and international organizations. Iraq's exposure to climate risks, including extreme heat, water shortages, and desertification, has positioned it among the five most climate-vulnerable countries globally, according to the United Nation, forming Rwanga's focus on sustainable development, energy access, and climate adaptation. Founded in 2013, Rwanga has reached more than three million people across Iraq through education, development, and environmental programs, including the planting of over 200,000 trees and other climate resilience efforts.
