Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani speaks at the inauguration ceremony of the Erbil–Duhok natural gas pipeline on Tuesday in Duhok. Photo by 964media
KRG PM Masrour Barzani inaugurates $591 million Erbil–Duhok gas pipeline
ERBIL — Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Tuesday inaugurated the 198-kilometer Erbil–Duhok natural gas pipeline, a $591 million project implemented by KAR Group that will supply Duhok’s power plant with natural gas and strengthen the region’s energy infrastructure.
Speaking at the ceremony in Duhok, Barzani called the pipeline “a fundamental solution to operate Duhok’s power station at full capacity,” after years of challenges caused by diesel shortages. He said the project is part of the KRG’s reform program to better utilize natural resources “to provide comprehensive services and improve the lives of citizens.”
Barzani said gas production in the Kurdistan Region has doubled thanks to government investment and private sector cooperation, positioning the region “in a leading regional position as an energy supplier.” He added that Kurdistan “can help meet the federal government’s electricity demand.”
In a statement, implementing KAR Group Chairman Baz Kareem said the pipeline marks “the beginning of a new era in energy security for the Kurdistan Region — and for all of Iraq.” The company said delivering locally produced gas to power stations “will bring more stable electricity, greater reliance on national resources, and build an energy and industrial infrastructure that can serve the present and secure the future.”
“Our vision is not about a single project,” the statement continued. “It is about an interconnected direction: linking natural gas fields and energy infrastructure to power plants, and building a network on which our economy and our development can rely.” KAR said completion of the Khor Mor and Chamchamal pipeline will be the next step in that plan.
Barzani said the project supports the government’s “Runaki” initiative to provide 24-hour electricity and will reduce pollution by phasing out diesel use. “This will lower overall energy production costs and ease the burden on citizens,” he said, noting ongoing work to achieve uninterrupted power across the region by next year.
The Runaki Project is a flagship KRG initiative to deliver continuous electricity across the region by connecting homes and businesses directly to the national grid. Implemented by the Ministry of Electricity, the program has already linked 4 million residents and more than 115,000 businesses to stable power.
Barzani also said the KRG is ready to cooperate with Baghdad on energy development. “We extend a hand of cooperation to the federal government in the field of energy and look forward to mutual support that serves our common interests,” he said.
He announced additional projects, including a pipeline connecting Khor Mor and Chamchamal and new solar energy programs offering low-interest bank loans to citizens.