New lighting could save city council £900k a year

WORK began today on a £4.5 million scheme to replace tens of thousands of street lights across Dundee.

The council is installing energyefficient LED lights throughout the city, with work starting in Ardler, Downfield and St Mary’s.

The two-year programme will see the fitting of more than 18,000 lights.

Almost 25,000 street lights are owned by the council, as well as more than 2,500 illuminated signs and bollards — generating an electricity bill of about £1.1m every year.

Almost 4,200 street lights have already been fitted with LEDs.

Dundee City Council expects the scheme will save more than £900,000 per year.

The savings will be generated through reduced electricity bills, incentives provided by the national Carbon Reduction Commitment energy efficiency scheme and a reduction in maintenance costs.

In a previous report to councillors Mike Galloway, executive director of city development, said: “Due to advances i n lighting technology there is now an opportunity to review street lighting provision with a view to making significant revenue savings on energy and its associated costs.

“The programme of LED conversion will take approximately 18-24 months from approval of funding.

“Once all equipment has been modernised Dundee City Council will benefit from modern, reliable street lighting which will significantly reduce our electricity cost and greatly reduce the carbon footprint.”

The Scottish Futures Trust, a Scottish Government agency that seeks value for money in public investment projects, believes councils across the country could save £175m in the next decade by switching to LED lights.

Associate director Lindsay McGregor said: “Three councils — West Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire and South Lanarkshire — have converted virtually all their street lamps to LEDs and have seen their electricity bills cut by more than 60%.

“Collectively, this is saving them £4.5m a year which, for example, could pay for a brand new primary school.

“However, 65% of Scotland’s street lights still need to be converted and failure to speed up installation work will mean Scotland’s councils will needlessly pay £17m a year more due to higher levels of electricity consumption.”