LED Streetlight Project to Provide Long-term Benefits
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Work to upgrade more than 794 streelights to energy efficient technology began the week of the 24th of February 2020 as part of a major energy efficiency project that will save hundreds of thousands in electricity bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions for the ratepayers of Cobar Shire Council.
The switch to LED technology will see over 230 MWh per year reduction in power use, delivering savings of $76,500 each year in maintenance and electricity costs.
Councils General Manager, Peter Vlatko said Cobar Shire Council was committed to becoming more sustainable, and the LED upgrade is just one initiative in Council’s strategies to achieve energy and operational efficiencies.
“Streetlighting is a significant expense for Council, costing around an average $158,000 each year, and with more than 794 streetlights across Council’s footprint, the upgrade will go a long way to reducing costs and providing significant long-term savings,” said Mr Vlatko.
“LEDs are far more energy efficient, require less maintenance and have a significantly longer life.”
Mr Vlatko said LED streetlights consuming around 17 watts each will replace existing high-energy lights consuming between 50 and 100 watts.
“Council is investing $420,000.00 to complete the bulk upgrade, with the costs expected to be recouped within a period of 5 years.”
Essential Energy streetlight manager Waide Elliott said the organisation continues to work closely with Councils across its distribution area and is committed to providing information and services that are appropriate to Councils’ needs and those of the communities they serve.
“Essential Energy is responsible for the maintenance and billing of more than 160,000 streetlights serving more than 85 councils across New South Wales and parts of Southern Queensland,” Mr Elliott said.
“Public lighting plays an important role in providing safe, secure and attractive public areas for both pedestrians and motorists".
“The new LED streetlighting Cobar Shire Council will not only provide a more reliable, better quality lighting service, but will deliver savings of more than 45 per cent in energy consumption.
“This type of light also provides future potential for other ‘smart’ applications to be added and will allow Essential Energy to more effectively manage the streetlight network and respond more promptly to potential outages,” Mr Elliott said.