Surrey County Council’s ambitious project to upgrade its street lighting has finally come to fruition, with all 89,000 street lights in the county now equipped with energy-efficient LED bulbs.
The Benefits of LED Lighting
- Energy-efficient: LED bulbs use up to 30-40% less energy than traditional streetlights, making them an attractive option for reducing energy consumption and costs.
- Lifespan: LED bulbs last longer than other historic lighting options, such as low-pressure sodium, high-pressure sodium, and HID lamps.
- Improved visibility: LED lighting provides better visibility for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists, reducing the risk of accidents.
- Reduced light pollution: By using LEDs, the county is reducing light pollution into surrounding homes and gardens.
The new LED lighting system is a crucial part of Surrey County Council’s 2050 net zero carbon targets, with the goal of reducing energy consumption and costs across the county.
Achievements and Results
| Aspect | Result |
|---|---|
| Energy usage reduction | 65 per cent reduction in energy usage across Surrey’s lighting network |
| Annual savings | Millions of pounds every year |
| Carbon emissions reduction | Reduction in carbon emissions |
The new LED lighting system is also designed to be more sustainable, with the option to reuse existing street lighting lanterns and introduce innovative bespoke gear trays.
What the Experts Say
Matt Furniss, cabinet member for highways, transport and economic growth, said: “I am delighted that our major investment in converting all 89,000 of Surrey’s street lights to energy-efficient LEDs is now complete. This was part of our commitment to reduce our energy consumption to support the council’s 2050 net zero target and also to reduce costs to benefit taxpayers.”
Gary Thorne, senior projects manager at Milestone Infrastructure, added: “We are delighted to have delivered this integral project to support the county council’s net zero aspirations, while ensuring safer, sustainable street lighting to the communities of Surrey. By introducing innovation to our street lighting replacement, we have saved on resource, cut cost and reduced the amount of waste created throughout this project.”
The introduction of ‘part night’ lighting, where street lighting is turned off at 1am and back on at 5am on ‘estate roads’, will also reduce energy consumption and costs.
Innovative Solutions
- Reuse of existing lanterns: The introduction of an innovative bespoke gear tray allows for the reuse of existing street lighting lanterns, reducing waste materials and minimizing the environmental impact of the project.
- Innovative gear tray: The bespoke gear tray consists of the key electrical components for the 65,000 Philips Libre style lanterns, reducing waste and increasing efficiency.
This project demonstrates Surrey County Council’s commitment to reducing energy consumption and costs, while also creating innovative solutions for its clients. As part of its net zero aspirations, the council has successfully completed a major project to upgrade its street lighting, providing a safer, more sustainable, and more energy-efficient lighting system for the community.
