Work has started on Council’s bulk upgrade of 1,147 streetlights which will be replaced with energy-efficient LED lighting and save hundreds of thousands of dollars in electricity bills and reduce carbon emissions.
The switch to LED technology will deliver savings of more than 55 percent in energy consumption, translating to savings of approximately $85,000 a year in maintenance and electricity costs.
Council’s Sustainability Team Leader, Julia Adams, said the LED upgrade was just one initiative in Council’s plan to improve energy and operational efficiencies, and achieve emissions reductions, by 2025.
“Streetlighting is a significant expense for Council, costing over $326,000 each year, and with more than 2,000 streetlights across Council’s footprint, the upgrade will go a long way to reducing costs and providing significant long-term savings,” Mrs Adams said.
“LEDs are far more energy efficient, require less maintenance and have a significantly longer life,” she said.
Mrs Adams said LED streetlights consuming around 17 watts each will replace existing high-energy lights consuming between 50 and 100 watts.
“Council is investing approximately $657,722 to complete the bulk upgrade, with the costs expected to be recouped within a period of around six years.”
Essential Energy streetlight manager, Hamish Wheatley, said the organisation was pleased to support Byron Shire Council with the upgrade. “We will support the Byron community by maintaining these new streetlights, alongside the more than 160,000 streetlights that serve communities across New South Wales and parts of Southern Queensland,” Mr Wheatley said.
