Pan-city LED program saves $800K a year

The City of Sydney’s LED lighting program to reduce emissions and energy use has been recognised for leadership and innovation at the recent 2014 Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (NSW) annual awards.

“Replacing 6450 conventional lights will save nearly $800,000 a year in electricity bills and maintenance costs,” the Lord Mayor Clover Moore said. 

The pan-city LED lighting program, supported by GE Lighting and UGL, is expected to significantly reduce carbon emissions and energy use. Since March 2012, more than 4100 energy-efficient LED street- and park-lights have been commissioned as part of a $7 million, three-year project to replace 6450 lights across the City of Sydney. The new lights have saved the City almost $370,000 and reduced energy use by more than 34% since March 2012.

The LED lights, produced by GE Lighting and installed by UGL, emit a light which is whiter and brighter than traditional street- and park-lights. LED lighting produces light over a broader range of the colour spectrum, looking closer to daylight. They use 40% less electricity than conventional bulbs and produce 40% less carbon pollution. The success of the council’s smart power-usage program is paving the way for new applications of light to create sustainable and energy-efficient urban environments.

The City of Sydney’s LED project is the first of its kind in Australia, with LED lights having been installed across major residential and commercial areas including Newton and new developments at Zetland. This revolution in lighting technology is sweeping across central Sydney to provide brighter park- and street-lighting while drastically reducing electricity costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Following the successful implementation in the City of Sydney, the NSW Government is encouraging other councils across the state to consider implementing similar LED lighting projects.  

Ian Killick, managing firector of GE Lighting Australia and New Zealand, said: “Advanced LED technology has transformed the way we apply light. The technology enables brighter and more uniform illumination that saves up to 75% of energy compared to incandescent light sources, while lasting up to 25 times longer. More cities are appreciating the significant long-term benefits of implementing an energy-efficient LED program for its streets and public spaces. GE Lighting is a committed supporter of such programs and is glad to play a contributing role towards the City of Sydney’s drive towards smart energy usage. Feedback about the LED lighting program has been positive from Sydney residents.”

Public lighting accounts for a third of the City of Sydney’s annual electricity use and 30% of its greenhouse gas emissions. The new LEDs will reduce emissions by 2861 tonnes each year - the equivalent of taking 940 cars off the road. The City of Sydney, as Australia’s first carbon-neutral government, has set itself the ambitious target of reducing emissions by 70% below 2006 levels by 2030. New York, London and Hong Kong have since joined Sydney in LED trials.