KRG says half of Runaki subscribers paid under $49 on latest electricity bill

ERBIL — Half of households enrolled in the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Runaki electricity program paid less than 73,000 Iraqi dinars ($49) on their most recent bill, while 80 percent paid less than 160,000 dinars ($107), the Ministry of Electricity said.

Runaki, launched in October 2024, is designed to deliver uninterrupted national grid electricity across the Kurdistan Region, gradually replacing reliance on privately operated neighborhood diesel generators. The program now connects about 4 million residents and more than 115,000 businesses to the grid with over 200 private generators decommissioned.

By governorate, half of Erbil households paid less than 83,000 dinars ($55), while Sulaymaniyah households paid less than 54,000 dinars ($36), Duhok households less than 102,000 dinars ($68), and Halabja households less than 42,000 dinars ($28).

The announcement follows days of debate on social media, where residents shared images of higher bills and alleged “phantom charges,” raising concerns that 24-hour electricity prices had increased.

The ministry responded by saying tariffs “have not changed in any way,” adding that “any change must be approved by the Council of Ministers.” It acknowledged that “a portion of households saw higher electricity bills this winter compared to previous months” and said it is “seriously reviewing the matter to ease the burden that has fallen on some citizens.”

Higher bills were primarily due to a longer billing period — averaging 45 days — and increased consumption during unusually cold weather, the ministry said.

“For example, the first 400 kilowatt-hours within 30 days are calculated at 72 dinars per kilowatt-hour. If the billing cycle extends to 45 days, the same rate of 72 dinars per kilowatt-hour is calculated for 600 kilowatt-hours,” the statement said.

As a temporary support measure, officials said payments made through the e-Psûle platform until March 12 will receive a 20 percent credit applied to future bills.

Many residents say electricity pricing still feels high relative to their financial realities, particularly as delayed public sector salaries continue to fuel economic anxiety.