Work to upgrade 5487 streetlights to energy efficient technology is underway 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 Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council.
The switch to LED technology will see a 1402MWh per year reduction in power use, delivering savings of approximately $441,000 each year in maintenance and electricity costs and reducing 1334 tons of CO₂-e annually.
Mayor Tim Overall said Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional 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. These actions and other operational efficiencies have been identified in Council's Operational Climate Change Action Plan 2020-2030.
"Streetlighting is a significant expense for Council, costing $486,000 in energy costs alone in 2019, and with 5487 streetlights across Council's footprint, the upgrade will go a long way to reducing costs and providing significant long-term savings," said Cr Overall.
"LEDs are far more energy efficient, require less maintenance and have a significantly longer life."
LED streetlights consuming around 17 watts each will replace existing high-energy lights consuming between 50 and 100 watts.
"Council is investing approximately $2.7M to complete the bulk upgrade, with the costs expected to be recouped within a period of 5.59 years."
Essential Energy streetlight Manager Adele Finch 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. Miss Finch acknowledged the valuable input from the Southern Lights NSW Project, whose partners are working closely with Essential Energy to ensure the successful delivery of the project.
"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," Miss Finch said.
"Public lighting plays an important role in providing safe, secure and attractive public areas for both pedestrians and motorists."
"The new LED streetlighting for Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council will not only provide a more reliable, better quality lighting service, but will deliver savings of more than 50 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," Miss Finch said.
