Private generator owners protest new 24-hour electricity project, fear job losses

ERBIL — Private generator owners in Erbil staged a protest on Monday against the recently announced “Runaki” (Light) project, which aims to provide 24-hour electricity across the Kurdistan Region. Introduced by Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, the project has raised concerns among generator operators who fear widespread unemployment as a result.

Around 250 generator owners marched to the Council of Ministers, where one protester told 964media, “I have six employees. I invested everything into this business. This decision will leave us jobless.”

At the Council, Nusrat Kakameen Jabar, a representative for the generator owners, spoke at a press conference, stating, “We’ve been under pressure for years to comply with government regulations, and now, with this project’s implementation, over 10,000 workers—including electricians, technicians, and fuel suppliers—could lose their jobs.”

Jabar highlighted the impact on families dependent on generator businesses, urging the government to either delay the project or offer a transition period. “We ask that the government at least provide a phased implementation plan for the project so we can recover from debts incurred due to government pressure,” he said.

Kurdistan, with a population of more than 6.5 million, has struggled with consistent government electricity supply. The region operates 15 power plants, including hydroelectric, gas, and diesel facilities, but residents have relied heavily on private generators, paying a monthly fee per ampere. Over 7,000 private generators currently help meet power demand across the region. They are noisy and lead to high urban pollution.

On Oct. 17, Prime Minister Barzani launched the “Runaki” project, which began in Erbil’s Shadi and Nazanaz neighborhoods, aiming to deliver uninterrupted electricity to the entire Kurdistan Region by 2026. “By the end of 2026, every family and business in the Kurdistan Region will enjoy 24/7 electricity,” Barzani said at the launch event.