$2.46m LED streetlight rollout for City of Port Adelaide Enfield

SA Power Networks and the City of Port Adelaide Enfield (PAE) have completed Stage 1 of a bulk LED lighting upgrade, focusing on Stobie pole-mounted lights on residential streets.

The $2.46 million project began in December 2023. Since then, 4812 streetlights have been changed over to LED lights, with work finishing on target by the end of the 2023–24 financial year.

According to SA Power Networks, about half of the state’s streetlights are currently illuminated by energy-efficient LED bulbs. The network operator said it was committed to driving further adoption of LEDs, moving towards a future that is not only greener but also more cost-effective for energy users.

City of PAE Mayor Claire Boan said the council was thrilled to have completed Stage 1 of the LED rollout across the city of PAE. “The lights have not only reduced our power bills, but increased the lighting levels for our local community, improving safety and amenity of the local street network,” she said.

SA Power Networks said LEDs come with a range of benefits. They are up to 82% more efficient than traditional streetlights, and their improved design reduces light pollution and prevents light spill into properties, making them a more considerate choice for residents and the environment. (Lights upgraded along the City of PAE Esplanade are amber in colour to minimise the impact on local fauna, dimming to 50% overnight between 11 pm and 5 am.)

Under LEDs, light is spread more evenly across roads and footpaths, and objects look more natural. The lights also require less maintenance throughout their lifetime, which reduces operating costs, and they produce significantly fewer direct greenhouse gas emissions than their traditional counterparts.

While SA Power Networks maintains most street lighting in SA, councils cover the costs for supply and energy usage through public lighting tariffs. Over the past year, energy costs for streetlights have seen a substantial rise. However, once the full LED rollout is completed, the City of PAE can be expected to save hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, the network operator said.

Image credit: iStock.com/Konstantinos Dimitros