The US Army Intelligence Headquarters in Fort Huachuca, Arizona is to build a 50 kilowatt wind power system as part of its ongoing efforts to harness renewable energy.

The wind power plant will be driven by the Multiaxis Turbosystem built by Mass Megawatts Wind Power.

This system can apparently operate profitably in lower wind speed locations, and is less costly to buy, operate and maintain than traditional wind turbines.

Future energy needs at the army base will be met with the installation of additional wind power plants capable of generating over 10 megawatt/hours of electricity per year.

The US Army is currently exploring several avenues of renewable energy, and believes that US energy independence is vital to national and world security.

However, there are over 50 Army base installations in the US alone, and the challenge is not a simple one to overcome.

Mass Megawatts said that the wind industry achieved an annual growth rate of more than 25 per cent in the past five years, and that more than $9bn worth of new wind power plants worldwide were constructed last year.