Rwanga NGO unveils solar project in Kurdistan Region village

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A neighborhood in Hawdiyan village in the Kurdistan Region’s northeast Soran district is now connected to solar energy including 38 homes, a church, a mosque, a school and a health center as part of the Rwanga Foundation’s ongoing renewable energy initiative.

The Kurdistan Region-based nonprofit on Wednesday inaugurated a solar energy project in Hawdiyan village for 38 homes, a church, mosque, school and health center.

The project is part of the Rwanga Foundation’s two-year clean energy initiative supporting communities across the Kurdistan Region.

“At the Rwanga Foundation, we always act under the guidance and direction of Mr. Idris Nechirvan Barzani,” Hassan Sheikh Alaaldin, the foundation’s executive director, told Rudaw's Andam Jabar on Wednesday, communicating foundation’s goal “to reaffirm that value and sense of belonging” in their community and homeland and reduce residents’ reliance on private generators, provide lower electricity costs and reliable power.

Residents who have long relied on generators when government electricity was unavailable, said they are elated to no longer have to worry about power outages and exorbitant expenses.

“Previously, when government electricity was cut, it was up to the generator owners’ own will whether to give it to us or not,” said Yona Gorgis, a resident. “Now we don’t depend on that.”

Gorgis said the solar system has also reduced electricity costs. Residents said they hope the project will expand to make solar energy accessible to more households.

“One of the beautiful things about this foundation was that they provided power for the large mosques, and they did not forget the churches either,” said Muslim Ibrahim, the religious leader (Imam) of Hawdiyan Mosque.

Haw­diyan’s mukhtar, the community leader, Khidr Qadir, praised the project and expressed hopes that while “Today one neighborhood was done, tomorrow may all of Hawdiyan be done.”

Over the past two years, the Rwanga Foundation has provided 3,912 amperes of electricity to 326 houses in 6 different villages across the Kurdistan Region. 

The nonprofit, established in 2013, promotes programs to drive social impact in sectors such as education, youth development, environmental sustainability and community support, including renewable energy and climate-related initiatives.