Military proposes wind and solar energy for outpost in eastern Iraq

Coalition forces are pushing to power Iraqi border outposts with wind and solar energy, and are proposing to use an outpost in eastern Iraq as a test project.

Multi-National Security Transition Command—Iraq, J7 Engineering officials say al-Shiha Outpost South, near Combat Outpost Shocker in Zurbatiyah, would be a good place to start.

The outpost was recently built by the government, is in good condition and receives about six hours of full sunlight a day, engineers say. It had been wired but lacks a power source, according to a news release issued by MNSTC-I.

Setting up the outpost’s power would take $220,000, officials say, including site preparation, wiring of the tower, power controlling, inverter and batteries.

Engineers are eyeing using the combination of wind turbine power plants and solar panels to support border outposts around the country.

A portable room heater can be used for the winter and equipment for cooling electronics for the summer.

Al-Shiha Outpost South is accessible to trucks and can easily be monitored from COP Shocker in Wasit province, officials say.

MNSTC-I plans to complete the project with Iraqi security forces funds and hand it over to the Iraqi government for its consideration, according to U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Tom Williams, who is with the command.