50 households

Erbil village harnesses solar power to tackle electricity and water shortages

ERBIL — Kardiz village, located in Erbil Governorate’s Qushtapa district, has adopted solar energy as a primary power source, using it not only to generate electricity but also to address water shortages linked to frequent outages.

“Kardiz village has around 85 households, and 50 of them are now using solar energy. The number of solar energy users in the village is steadily increasing,” said Dilshad Hussein Hirani, head of the Erbil Environment Directorate, speaking to 964media.

Solar panels are a relatively new feature in the Kurdistan Region, yet their use is expanding in both urban and rural areas. “In addition to households, several water wells in the village are powered by solar energy, which has helped mitigate water shortages caused by electricity issues during the summer,” Hirani said, noting that Kardiz is the first village in Erbil to embrace solar power at this scale.

Other parts of the Kurdistan Region have followed suit. In Duhok’s Amedi district, most households in Hilura village have also shifted to solar power to cope with limited electricity. The region as a whole continues to struggle with ongoing supply issues, especially during extreme weather seasons. While many residents traditionally rely on private generators to supplement government-provided power, an increasing number now see solar energy as a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative.

Clean energy is a myth while oil exists

Clean energy is a myth while oil exists

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