Completion of extension to Defence Forces’ base and new solar power plant in Iraq
Defence Properties Finland has completed a project to build an extension to the Finnish Defence Forces’ base in Erbil, Iraq and the first larger solar power plant in the history of Finland’s crisis management history. It is estimated that carbon dioxide emissions at the base will decrease by almost 40% once other power generators are scaled to take into account the new solar power plant. The extension to the base included new accommodation and premises as well as a new hospital building and logistics terminal together with a replacement of the fire alarm system throughout the base.
The new solar power plant can produce as much as a third of the energy needed at the base. The power plant comprises a total of 202 solar panels in four different arrays. The solar power plant has a peak output of 100 kWh and operates alongside other power generators so that every effort is made to use all the solar power produced.
“In the very hot conditions in Iraq, most electricity is used in cooling. The base’s energy needs are greatest when the sun is beating down from the open sky and the new power plant means we get plenty of solar energy. There will now be a significant decrease in the use of diesel oil to fuel the power generators,” says Kai Kaltiainen, Specialist at Defence Properties Finland and Project Manager of the project in Iraq.
The project involved building new accommodation and premises as well as a new logistics centre. Besides these, the base was given its own hospital building with facilities well suited to medical treatment. The old fire alarm system at the base was replaced by a modern one.
“From the army perspective, the project was an interesting one since it was Defence Properties Finland’s first construction project in a crisis management operation. The project provided a lot of valuable experience and observations for future construction contracts in crisis management operations or other international operations,” says Major Tomi Kallunki at the Army Command (ARCOM) Logistics Division.
The construction project on site in Iraq lasted about three months. Defence Properties Finland, which is responsible for Defence Administration facilities, acted as the project manager and designer. Since implementation was tendered to local operators, the builders were from Iraq. Defence Properties Finland acted as work supervisor. Total project costs were around €600,000.
Information about the project:
Defence Properties Finland, Specialist Kai Kaltiainen, +358 29 483 1125
Read more about the operation in Iraq:
OIR and NMI in Iraq – International crisis management (puolustusvoimat.fi/en)
