30.10.17
Councils could save over £200m a year by switching to LED streetlights
A mass switch to LED streetlights could save councils across the UK over £200m a year, climate charity 10:10 Climate Action has claimed.
The charity is urging councils to make the change, saying that this would reduce carbon emissions by 600,000 tonnes a per - the equivalent of removing 400,000 cars from the road.
Compared to conventional street lighting, LEDs can demonstrate energy savings of 50-70%, which can increase to as high as 80% when combined with smart sensors and controls, 10:10 says.
In addition, LEDs can last for over 20 years, reducing waste and maintenance costs.
Conventional bulbs require replacement every 4-6 years.
Some local authorities have already started to change to LED streetlights, including Lambeth, Kent and Cheshire East, but the charity estimates that this is only 20% of councils.
Chris Goodall, leading researcher into new energy technologies, who compiled the figures from a series of councils across the UK, said: “As these figures show, the case for switching to LED is clear.
“It means more money for councils, less carbon in our atmosphere as well as safer, better lit streets.
“The time has never been better to get behind the LED revolution.”
According to the research, the current lighting bill for conventional bulbs is over £340m a year.
Neil Jones, campaigner at 10:10 Climate Action, explained the potential benefits further: “In these tough financial times £200 million per year is a huge amount - that’s the same as providing nearly 500,000 pupils with free school meals each year.
“And coupled with clear environmental benefits it becomes a no brainer.
“That’s why we’re calling on councils to take up the pledge to switch to greener, cheaper LED street lighting by 2022.”