Erbil, Kurdistan Region – April 13, 2025 –The Rwanga Foundation has inaugurated Iraq’s first fully sustainable solar-powered community, the Kulak Solar Village, marking a significant milestone in addressing the country’s energy and environmental challenges. Located southeast of Erbil, this pioneering project has been strongly endorsed by Idris Nechirvan Barzani, Founder and President of the Rwanga Foundation, who emphasized its critical importance for Iraq’s sustainable future.
The Kulak Solar Village is designed to house 32 families—nearly 200 residents—who will benefit from 24/7 solar electricity, solar-powered irrigation systems, and hands-on training in climate-smart agriculture. As temperatures in Iraq increasingly surpass 50°C and desertification threatens farmland, this initiative provides a practical solution for energy independence and food security. The village also incorporates water conservation techniques and regenerative farming practices to restore degraded land, ensuring long-term sustainability for its inhabitants.
Hassan Aladdin, the Foundation’s Director, highlighted the project’s community-driven approach: “Sustainability must be rooted in local ownership. Here, families control their own energy, grow their own food, and gain the skills to thrive despite climate challenges. Our vision is to expand this model to other villages, empowering Iraqis to build self-sufficient futures.”
The Kulak Solar Village is part of the Foundation’s broader Green Kurdistan initiative, which has already planted over 200,000 trees since 2020, including 20,000 olive trees in the Kasnazane region. It also aligns with the Empowering Sustainable Livelihoods program, which trains farmers in modern, cooperative-based agriculture.
With full operations set to begin by late 2025, the Rwanga Foundation aims to replicate this model in other parts of Kurdistan and central Iraq by 2030, working closely with local authorities and international partners to scale its impact.
