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

What the report says

Al Jazeera published an opinion piece on Aug. 21, 2026, arguing that Iraq’s energy transition will be more durable if it is built through decentralized projects in rural communities rather than left to top-down planning. The article focuses on Kulak, a farming village in the Kurdistan region, where solar panels and batteries now provide round-the-clock electricity after years of unreliable generator and grid supply.

According to the piece, the solar project does more than keep the lights on. It is linked to local training and agricultural support so residents can operate and maintain the equipment themselves. The article says reliable power is helping keep water pumps running and allowing for cold storage, which can give farmers more control over when they sell crops. Kulak is described as one of five villages in the region taking part in this model.

The author places this example in the wider context of Iraq’s rural energy and climate pressures. Iraq remains heavily dependent on oil, yet many villages still face frequent blackouts, while heat, drought and water stress are making rural life harder. The piece argues that solar systems should be treated as long-term infrastructure, not temporary fixes, and that training and local institutions are essential to avoid projects failing after outside support ends.

More broadly, the article suggests that village-level solar could help communities stay viable and reduce pressure to migrate to cities, while offering a practical model for climate action in the Global South.