Over half the ACT’s streetlights are to be replaced over the next seven years.
The rollout of new LED streetlights across the ACT has officially begun, with Weston the first suburb to have the energy efficient lighting installed by provider Electrix.
Over half the ACT’s streetlights are to be replaced over the next seven years, as the city moves towards what the Government believes will be a smarter, more reliable and efficient network.
Minister for City Services Chris Steel said the advantages of upgrading to LED lighting included a longer lifespan of up to 20 years, greater energy efficiency and lower maintenance requirements.
A new digital Central Management System was also being developed offering real-time monitoring of the network that will automatically detect failures such as a blown bulb or cable problem, allowing repairs to be addressed more quickly.
“Smart streetlight technology means that we will now know when there is an outage and it can be fixed sooner,” Mr Steel said.
Light output from LED streetlights was also highly directional, which meant a higher percentage of the light can be directed towards where it is required, resulting in less wasted and nuisance light.
The upgrade would also contribute towards reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions, and support the ACT’s move towards zero net emissions by 2020.
“The replacement of old streetlights with energy efficient LEDs will save the territory over 80,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year, and save approximately 20,000,000 kWh a year. By the end of the contract the Territory will save approximately $2 million annually in other operation and maintenance costs,” he said.
Canberra has about 80,000 lights overall and more than 45,000 will be replaced, on existing light poles.
The ACT Government announced the new contract to replace the ACT streetlight network to provider Electrix in May.
Some older suburbs have already had LED lights installed, such as Kingston and Braddon.
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