ERBIL,— Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government owes more than $9 billion dollars to gas supplier Dana Gas of the United Arab Emirates and to local power companies, a top KRG official said Thursday, noting that electricity income falls short of covering the sector’s costs.

Aziz Ahmad, deputy chief of staff to caretaker Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, told Rudaw media that the electricity sector carries a large debt load topping nine billion dollars.

Ahmad said the sector’s costs include gas bought from the Khor Mor field, which Dana Gas runs near Sulaimani city, along with power plant operating costs, grid maintenance and expansion, and the Runaki project.

Runaki is the KRG’s plan to bring round-the-clock power to the region.

He said those four cost areas add up to an average of $220 million each month, while Runaki brings in less than half that amount in revenue.

Ahmad said the government owes money to 15 power stations. He named Erbil-based firms Mass and Kar, along with Sulaimani-based Qaiwan, as suppliers of 97 percent of the region’s electricity. He said those three companies, along with Dana Gas, account for the bulk of the $9 billion debt.

Ahmad said officials need to hold honest talks with the companies about paying back what is owed. He said the firms have asked in writing for their contracts to be reviewed, and the KRG Council of Ministers has approved that request.

In early August, the KRG rolled out a 50 percent discount on electricity debts built up before Runaki began, with the offer first set to end September 10. The region’s electricity ministry said last week that about 800,000 customers had paid off their debts under the program.

Ahmad said the government brought in roughly $278.6 million in August and September combined, counting Runaki fees and old debt payments.

He said the cabinet decided Wednesday to push the discount deadline back to October 18. Ahmad called it the last chance, saying any remaining balances after that date will turn into monthly payment plans automatically.

(With files from Rudaw)

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ERBIL,— A man was shot and killed by a security officer affiliated with Barzani’s Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region late Sunday during protests over electricity outages, according to residents and a medical source who spoke to AFP.

The incident took place in Warte town in Rawandz, a region northeast of Kurdistan’s capital, Erbil, where residents said demonstrators blocked a major highway leading to the Iranian border crossing. Local witnesses said security forces moved in to reopen the road, sparking clashes with protesters.

A medical official at Ashti hospital in the area confirmed the arrival of a man who died from gunshot wounds. Residents identified the victim as Hassan Abdul Rhaman, a 45-year-old father of ten, who was reportedly participating in the protests.

It remains unclear how exactly the man was shot, but a protester told AFP that security forces were responsible for the fatal shooting.

KDP Regional officials have yet to issue any comment regarding the protests or the incident.

Kurdistan, known for its relative stability in the otherwise volatile Iraqi landscape, recently announced improvements in electricity access.

Authorities said more than 30 percent of the region now receives 24-hour state-provided electricity.

Despite this, large parts of the region still suffer from extended power cuts, forcing many families to rely on private generators.

Although Iraq has substantial oil and gas reserves, corruption and poor management have hindered the development of adequate power infrastructure.

The national electricity grid struggles to meet demand, and much of Kurdistan’s power supply depends on imports from neighboring Iran, leading to frequent outages—especially during the hot summer months.

On Monday, the New Generation faction in the Iraqi Parliament said it plans to call for an official investigation into the deaths linked to recent protests. The faction accused the ruling PUK and KDP parties of bearing responsibility, according to NRT TV.

Sarwa Abdulwahid, the faction leader, accused the two parties of injustice, theft, and repression against the people of Kurdistan. “We will not accept that the PUK and KDP continue treating citizens like this while looting public wealth,” Abdulwahid said.

She emphasized that the failure of these ruling parties over the past 33 years has deprived citizens of basic rights, including reliable electricity and services.

She noted that the protests are not against the new electricity project itself but against its high costs and the corruption involved.

Abdulwahid also urged the the de facto Kurdish administration, which refers to itself as the Kurdistan Regional Government KRG, to negotiate a fair and lawful agreement with Baghdad to address ongoing problems.

Abdulwahid addressed her party and allies, stating, “They oppress, torture, and kill you, but regardless of their tenure, the people will hold them accountable daily.”

She further highlighted that the protester killed in Warte was affiliated with Barzani’s KDP party’s armed wing, condemning the violence and calling for justice in this world and the next.

(With files from AFP | NRT TV | Agencies)

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After over three decades of Barzani rule, only 30% of Iraqi Kurdistan has full electricity

ERBIL,— Just over 30 percent of Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region now benefits from continuous, 24-hour electricity, Kurdish authorities reported Thursday, with plans to expand full coverage across the region by the end of 2026.

The Kurdistan Region, in northern Iraq, has long been regarded as a relatively stable area amid the country’s broader unrest. Yet, despite Iraq’s substantial oil reserves, the regional electricity grid continues to fall short of demand, leaving much of Kurdistan dependent on imported power and frequent blackouts.

“Today, about two million people in the Kurdistan Region, including residents of Erbil, Duhok, and Sulaimaniyah, have access to round-the-clock electricity,” said Masrour Barzani, the Kurdistan Region’s caretaker prime minister

After nearly 30 years of semi-autonomous governance under the Barzani family, the region still struggles to supply consistent electricity to its population.

Regular outages, particularly during the summer heat and winter cold, have forced households and businesses to rely heavily on private diesel generators, which are costly and contribute to air pollution.

Local data shows that more than 5,500 private generators operate in Erbil alone, excluding those owned by commercial establishments like hotels and restaurants.

Critics accuse the dominant political clans, the Barzanis and Talabanis, of profiting from oil contracts while neglecting essential infrastructure, including the electricity grid, leaving many citizens underserved.

To address this, the de facto Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) launched “Project Runaki” in 2024, aiming to provide continuous power throughout the region and reduce dependence on private generators.

Kamal Mohammed, Iraqi Kurdistan’s electricity minister, told AFP that residents are now benefiting from “uninterrupted, cleaner, and more affordable electricity.”

The plan includes extending 24/7 power supply to the rest of the region by the end of 2026. So far, the project has led to the decommissioning of about 30 percent of the estimated 7,000 private generators across Kurdistan, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 400,000 tons annually.

In 2023, Iraq’s Ministry of Planning reported that 48,533 private generators were supplying electricity to approximately 6.7 million people across Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, according to a government survey conducted that year.

The initiative also aims to reduce electricity bills for households, offering a more economical alternative to the combined cost of grid electricity and private generator fuel. However, Mohammed noted that bills will still fluctuate based on usage, especially during high-demand periods in summer and winter.

A key element for success is the introduction of “smart” electricity meters to minimize theft and the implementation of a new tariff system encouraging responsible consumption.

Mohammed stated that the power capacity of the grid has been expanded to ensure an uninterrupted electricity supply.

Kurdistan has doubled its natural gas production over the past five years, with most of the electricity now generated from local gas sources. Nevertheless, Iraq’s infrastructure remains fragile due to decades of conflict.

The country continues to rely heavily on imports, primarily from neighboring Iran, which often disrupts supply. Electricity is also imported from Jordan and Turkey, as Baghdad attempts to boost its own gas output.

“We stand ready to provide technical support and cooperation to the federal government,” Mohammed added.

In Erbil, resident Bishdar Attar, 38, noted that the biggest improvement was the reduction in noise and pollution from diesel generators. “The air is cleaner, and we can now use household appliances without worrying about power cuts,” he said.

The Iraqi Kurdistan region is regarded as the most corrupt part of Iraq. Watchdogs, Kurdish lawmakers, and leaked documents reveal that billions of dollars are missing from oil revenues.

A source familiar with Barzani and Talabani circles told iKurd that investors showed interest in the 2000s in building large power plants in Kurdistan. Investors requested free land and a 10-year tax exemption, after which the KRG would take over operations.

However, Kurdish officials demanded a 50 percent share of profits once the plants were running, leading to stalled projects, the source said.

For decades, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), led by the Barzani clan, and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), headed by the Talabani family, have dominated the political landscape of the Kurdish region.

Both parties have faced frequent criticism from analysts and observers, who accuse them of nepotism and of accumulating substantial wealth through the region’s oil industry, prioritizing family interests over public service.

(With files from AFP | Agencies)

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DUKAN,— Water levels at Dukan Dam in Iraq’s Kurdistan region have plunged to near-record lows due to declining rainfall and upstream dam construction, posing a growing threat to water access for millions, local officials told AFP.

The dam, located in Sulaimani province, currently holds just 1.6 billion cubic meters of water, about 24% of its maximum 7 billion cubic meter capacity. This is the lowest point in roughly two decades, Kochar Jamal Tawfeeq, the director of the facility told AFP.

“Levels have not fallen this low in nearly 20 years,” Tawfeeq said. He attributed the shortage to long-term climate shifts and irregular rainfall patterns that have become increasingly unpredictable in recent years.

During the latest winter season, the Dukan area received only 220 millimeters of rainfall—far below the seasonal average of 600 millimeters. The reduced precipitation has contributed to shrinking reserves across the region.

Satellite imagery reviewed by AFP showed that the lake’s surface area declined by 56% between May 2019, when the reservoir was last full, and early June 2025.

The visual data illustrates the extent of the drop in water levels and the changing shape of the shoreline, where cracks and dry zones have begun to appear.

Tawfeeq also cited damming activities on the Little Zab River in neighboring Iran as a key contributing factor.

The river, which feeds into Dukan Dam, has been increasingly tapped upstream for Iran’s domestic water needs. Dozens of new dam structures have been built on Iranian territory in recent years, affecting the river’s flow into Iraq.

Baghdad has long voiced concern over water restrictions linked to dam projects by Iran and Turkey. Both countries control key water sources that flow into Iraq, including the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

Iraqi authorities argue that these upstream interventions have significantly reduced water availability downstream, worsening the nation’s water crisis.

Iraq, home to 46 million people, is experiencing widespread effects of climate change. Rising temperatures, recurring drought, and land degradation have intensified in recent years, pushing national water reserves to their lowest recorded levels in 80 years, according to the Ministry of Water Resources.

The shortage is affecting agriculture across the region. In the hillside village of Sarsian, farmer Hussein Khader Sheikhah planted wheat on 13 hectares last winter.

He said the crop failed almost entirely due to the lack of rain. “I lost about $5,700,” Sheikhah told Reuters.

In a bid to recover some of the losses, he has turned to planting summer crops—such as beans, chickpeas, melons, and cucumbers—on a smaller plot near the river. “One hectare won’t make up for the rest, but it’s all I can do,” he said.

The water crisis has also disrupted municipal supply systems. In Sulaimani and Kirkuk governorates, approximately four million people are affected by reduced access.

In Kirkuk, local official Zaki Karim reported a 40% drop in water delivered to treatment plants.

“We’ve had to impose stricter rationing measures,” Karim said. Authorities are also increasing oversight to prevent illegal tapping of water lines and are conducting awareness campaigns aimed at reducing household consumption.

“We’re working to ensure that even during reduced supply, no district experiences a full cutoff,” Karim added.

(With files from AFP)

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SULAIMANI, Iraqi Kurdistan,— US energy giant General Electric signed a $100 million deal Sunday with Sulaimani-based Taurus Arm to upgrade the Bazyan power plant, officials announced.

Qubad Talabani, a member of the PUK party’s Political Bureau and the caretaker deputy Iraqi Kurdistan region prime minister said the agreement shows that “Kurdistan is open for business with the world’s biggest companies,” in a post on X. He added that Slemani is leading Iraq in investment projects.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Talabani said the Iraqi Kurdistan plans to become a major electricity exporter in the region.

The Bazyan plant, located in Sulaimani and operated by Taurus Arm, currently produces 500 megawatts of electricity. It supplies power to more than 1.5 million homes across areas including Mosul, Kirkuk, and Salahaddin.

Rasheed al-Janabi, president of GE Vernova-Iraq, mentioned that the use of new technology will boost the plant’s reliability and efficiency while cutting costs and operational risks.

According to Janabi, the goal is to triple production to about 1,500 megawatts without needing additional fuel.

Saad Tayeb Hassan, CEO of Qaiwan Group, said GE will handle all upgrades, repairs, and introduce the latest global technologies. Hassan noted this would allow for increased power generation with less gas, lowering electricity costs for the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

GE had previously signed a 16-year maintenance agreement with Taurus Arm in 2022, covering services for two turbines at Bazyan.

At the ceremony, U.S. Consul General Steve Bitner said he hoped to see more partnerships between American and Kurdish companies.

Despite the announcements, residents in Iraqi Kurdistan continue to face widespread electricity shortages.

After three decades of semi-autonomy, the KRG has yet to provide consistent power to its citizens. Frequent blackouts, especially during the summer and winter peaks, have forced families and businesses to rely on private diesel generators, which are expensive and polluting.

There are more than 5,500 private generators operating in Erbil alone, not counting units owned by hotels and restaurants, according to local data.

Critics have long accused the region’s dominant political families, the Barzanis and Talabanis, of enriching themselves through oil deals while neglecting the Kurdistan Region’s crumbling infrastructure and failing to serve the population.

(With files from Rudaw | Agencies)

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ERBIL,— Iraq’s Kurdistan Region continues to face a severe electricity shortage, with demand significantly outpacing supply, according to a spokesperson for the region’s Ministry of Electricity.

Omed Ahmed, the Ministry’s spokesperson, confirmed Wednesday that the region’s electricity demand currently stands at 7,500 megawatts, while only 3,700 megawatts are being produced. This leaves a gap of 3,800 megawatts, causing frequent power shortages across the region.

In response to the situation, the Ministry is working to boost power generation, with plans to add 500 megawatts to the grid by the end of February. However, Ahmed stressed that this increase will only be possible if citizens use electricity responsibly and efficiently.

“We aim to add 500 megawatts to the grid by the end of February to help alleviate the shortfall. But this depends on citizens adopting more responsible consumption patterns,” Ahmed said.

At present, the average daily electricity supply in the region is between 7 to 10 hours, divided into two separate intervals. Ahmed explained that the Ministry plans to extend these hours if consumption stabilizes and remains under control.

Despite the Kurdistan Region’s autonomy and self-rule for more than three decades, the ongoing electricity crisis remains unresolved. The region’s leadership, particularly the Barzani and Talabani families, have faced criticism for not addressing the electricity problem, while some accuse them of mismanaging the region’s resources.

Corruption remains a key issue, with critics alleging that the ruling families have accumulated significant wealth through the oil industry, leaving the region’s infrastructure underdeveloped. Kurdistan has long been considered one of the most corrupt parts of Iraq, with billions of dollars in oil revenue reportedly unaccounted for, according to leaked documents and statements from Kurdish lawmakers.

In addition to the power shortages, the Kurdistan Region, along with the rest of Iraq, relies heavily on private generators to maintain electricity supply during outages. According to the Iraqi Ministry of Planning, approximately 50,000 private generators are currently in operation across Iraq and the Kurdistan Region to fill the gap caused by frequent power cuts, as reported in 2023.

Kurdistan’s oil wealth could be used to solve its electricity crisis, but corruption is holding back the region’s potential. According to experts If properly managed, the substantial oil revenues could fund major infrastructure projects like nuclear power plants to meet the region’s growing energy needs. This investment in nuclear energy could reduce reliance on imported electricity and costly private generators, providing a sustainable and reliable power source while boosting the economy.

Currently, Kurdistan is facing a serious energy shortfall, producing only 3,700 MW of electricity, far below the 7,500 MW it needs. If Kurdistan were to rely solely on nuclear power to close this gap, the region would need to build nine nuclear reactors, with an estimated cost of $63 billion. But overcoming corruption and ensuring effective use of oil revenues are key challenges in making this vision a reality.

As the electricity shortage persists, many in the Kurdistan Region are left questioning whether promises of progress will ever materialize into lasting solutions.

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