Latest news with #RonakiProject
Shafaq News
06-08-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Duhok shuts down generators as Kurdistan launches 24-hour national electricity project
Shafaq News – Duhok More than 300 private and public electricity generators have been shut down in Duhok as part of the Kurdistan Region's Ronaki Project, which aims to replace local generators with uninterrupted national grid electricity. Ismail Mohammed, the district commissioner of Duhok, told Shafaq News on Wednesday that "306 out of 417 generators, including private ones, have been switched off under the Ronaki project, which seeks to provide citizens with continuous national electricity 24 hours a day." The project has now entered its fourth phase, with only 111 generators still operating across 28 neighborhoods in the district. According to the commissioner, the Kurdistan Regional Government, in coordination with the General Directorate of Electricity and the Generator Regulation Committee in Duhok, has decided to allow the remaining generators to operate for just six more months, only for emergencies and unexpected power outages. "After this period, all remaining generators will be removed completely, officially ending the use of private generators in Duhok.' The Council of Ministers had unanimously approved the Ronaki project on May 14, mandating the Ministry of Electricity to issue the necessary implementation guidelines. In a statement, the council said the Ronaki initiative, led by Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, aims to 'provide stable and permanent 24-hour electricity service to all subscribers, reduce waste and overuse, ensure fair distribution, and protect public health and the environment.' The project is to be carried out by the Ministry of Electricity in cooperation with the public sector.
Shafaq News
22-05-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Ronaki project: KRG targets 24/7 electricity
Shafaq News/ On Thursday, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani outlined plans to deliver 24-hour electricity across the Region—and eventually to other parts of Iraq—through increased gas production supported by two new agreements with US energy companies. Speaking at the Energy Conference in Washington, Barzani presented the 'Ronaki Project' as a key element of the KRG's energy reform strategy. Initially launched in major urban centers, the project is expected to cover all cities by the end of this year, with full regional access targeted by late 2026. Years of underdeveloped infrastructure have left many households reliant on costly private generators. Barzani noted that Ronaki is designed to ease this dependence by cutting electricity costs by up to 80%, with adjusted rates for high-consumption users. He also pointed to progress in natural gas development, with two recently signed deals with established US firms positioned to expand output and support wider electricity generation. 'The objective goes beyond Kurdistan,' Barzani added. 'We're working to increase electricity supply for the rest of Iraq and the wider region, where shortages remain widespread.' The agreements contribute to a broader strategy to transform gas resources into a reliable power source, improving energy security and reducing reliance on diesel generators. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright, addressing the same conference, described energy as fundamental to economic growth. He stressed that US global energy partnerships focus on cooperation and shared commercial opportunities rather than competition. The latest gas deals, he noted, reflect growing collaboration between American companies and the KRG. The conference is included in a wider itinerary for PM Barzani, who is leading an official visit to Washington. Earlier today, he met with US Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, discussing ways to deepen the strategic relationship between the Kurdistan Region and the United States.
