Adelaide is becoming a ‘City of Light’ following Adelaide City Council’s world class approach to public lighting.
Currently rolling out Stage 1 of its Go Green with Public Lighting project, Council will progressively replace all of its 5,000 existing public lights with energy efficient LED globes in an effort to cut back electricity use and carbon emissions.
“This innovative project demonstrates Council’s commitment to a sustainable and environmentally-friendly city,” Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood said.
“We are the first Council in South Australia and one of the first in the country to install energy efficient LED lights on a large scale.”
“They are a shining light for sustainability and will provide high-quality and consistent white light, adding to the vibrancy and safety of city streets.”
Stage 1 will see a total of 405 public lights replaced with the latest in light emitting diode (LED) technology at the following locations: Sir Donald Bradman Drive, Grote Street, Wakefield Street, Wakefield Road, Glen Osmond Road, King William Street, Medindie Road, Victoria Square, Light Square / Morphett Street and Montefiore Road.
The ageing lights that are being replaced are at the end of their lifespan and are predominantly energy-intensive metal halide, mercury vapour and high pressure sodium lights. The new LED lights use much less energy and therefore produce far fewer carbon emissions, deliver high quality and consistent lighting and will maintain high levels of output over time.
“The first stage is expected to reduce energy use, carbon emissions and cost by 38% with a payback of just over 6 years,” Stephen said.
“This equates to 200,650 kWh per annum and a reduction of 144 tonnes of carbon – the equivalent of taking 37* cars off the road each year.”
The project is part of Council’s Energy Management Action Plan 2011-2014, adopted by Council last May. Planning for Stage 2 is currently underway and will involve the replacement of further street and pedestrian lighting.
Council set a target to reduce carbon emissions from its own operations by 60% by 2012 and achieved this interim target ahead of schedule by the end of the 2009/10 financial year. It is now on schedule to becoming completely carbon neutral by 2020.
* Based on 3.9 tonnes per year and Australian average use of 14,100km per year. Source: ABS and http://www.greenfleet.com.au/Global/Individuals/Transport
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