Stories

The KBR LOGCAP IV Team at Al Minhad Airbase, Camp Redleg, United Arab Emirates recently brightened things up with the procurement of efficient and fit-for-purpose solar lighting. More and more companies are seeing the benefits of using solar lights to illuminate work sites and remote areas to provide added security with no installation or ongoing costs. KBR and the U.S. Military are no different.

The KBR team proposed installation of solar light sets for Camp Redleg as a way to reduce costs of fuel and service parts, protect the environment and provide a more comfortable working environment by reducing noise pollution associated with fuel burning generator light sets. Seventeen lights were purchased by KBR and delivered to Camp Redleg earlier this year. William Green, KBR General Site Manager, talked about the multiple benefits of using solar lights: "The sun light is an abundant and free resource in the desert and by utilizing it we are able to save money, which everyone is looking to do these days." Green continued, "In addition to the cost savings, there is an immediate and positive impact on the environment by going solar." The solar light set option provided a solid, low maintenance addition to the very austere environment of the UAE.

While weighing various options, the foremost objective of the procurement team was to purchase systems designed to "set and forget", meaning the lights could be set to turn on and then left to run on their own. The team worked very closely with the Middle East Procurement Supply Center in Dubai, UAE, to secure the most economically feasible manufacturer to deliver the finished product.

In addition to the health and economic benefits, KBR was able to reduce costs and provide a safe alternative to the traditional fuel burning generators.