Sulaymaniyah is moving forward with a major transition toward natural gas as part of a broader strategy to support industrial growth, improve electricity generation, and reduce environmental pollution.

Officials say the initiative, backed by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), includes eight new agreements signed this year to help factories replace heavy fuel oil with cleaner energy sources.

Eight New Contracts to Expand Natural Gas Use

Ahmed Mufti, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources in the KRG, announced during a panel discussion at the Delphi Economic Forum Slemani that an intensive program is underway to transform the energy sources used by industrial facilities across Sulaymaniyah.

He revealed that eight new contracts have been signed this year with industrial companies to adopt natural gas as their primary source of energy, replacing heavy fuel oils that have traditionally powered factory operations.

According to Mufti, the initiative forms part of a broader strategy to modernize the industrial sector while creating a cleaner and more sustainable energy system.

Plan Backed by Kurdistan Region Deputy Prime Minister

Speaking on the sidelines of the forum, Mufti stated that the project is being implemented with the direct support of Kurdistan Region Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani. The initiative aims to provide natural gas to factories throughout Sulaymaniyah Governorate as a means of supporting local manufacturers and strengthening domestic industrial production.

He described the project as a significant step toward revitalizing the industrial sector while providing businesses with a more efficient and environmentally friendly energy source.

Supporting 24-Hour Electricity and Reducing Emissions

Mufti emphasized that achieving round-the-clock electricity supply depends heavily on sustained investment in the natural gas sector. He noted that natural gas is a cleaner and more efficient fuel for power generation compared to traditional heavy fuel oils.

He explained that increased reliance on natural gas would reduce the emission of thousands of cubic meters of carbon, helping address climate-related challenges while supporting the Kurdistan Region’s economic development goals.

He also pointed out that industrial facilities currently burn thousands of tons of fuel oil, commonly known as black oil, which has caused significant environmental damage. Replacing these fuels with natural gas is expected to substantially reduce pollution levels across the governorate.

Full Transition Planned Within 18 Months

According to Mufti, the government has developed a strategic roadmap under which natural gas will gradually become the primary fuel source for factories in Sulaymaniyah.

He said the plan envisions a complete transition within the next year and a half, with natural gas replacing heavy, high-emission fuels across the region’s industrial sector.

Sulaymaniyah Positioned as a Major Gas Investment Hub

Mufti highlighted Sulaymaniyah’s significant potential for natural gas investment, stating that the governorate could accommodate as much as 50 percent of all natural gas investment in the Kurdistan Region.

He said expanding the sector would create substantial employment opportunities and contribute to broader economic growth. At the same time, he stressed the importance of passing the long-awaited federal Oil and Gas Law, arguing that it is necessary to ensure the sector operates within a unified and regulated legal framework.