Iraq’s solar villages show how to build an energy transition that lasts

For years, the day in Kulak concluded when the generator powered down.

What happened

For years, the day in Kulak concluded when the generator powered down. Like thousands of villages throughout Iraq, this small farming community in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region lived to the faltering rhythm of an erratic power supply: a few hours of electricity, then the water pumps ceased, refrigerators warmed and children put down their books.

Today, Kulak runs on the sun. Solar panels harness its energy, batteries store the excess and residents have power 24/7. The change is visible beyond the homes: water pumps keep running, and cold storage gives farmers more control over when they sell their harvest.

The bottom line

In short, iraq's solar villages show how to build an energy transition that lasts is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.