Work to upgrade more than 951 streetlights to energy efficient technology will begin this week in Yass valley.
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The upgrade is a part of a major energy efficiency project that will save hundreds of thousands in electricity bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions for the local government area.
The switch to LED technology will see a 185.2 MWh per year reduction in power use, delivering savings of approximately $59,000 each year in maintenance and electricity costs.
Interim Director of Infrastructure and Assets, Steven Beasley said Yass Valley Council was committed to becoming more sustainable, and the LED upgrade is just one initiative in council's strategies to achieve energy and operational efficiencies.
"Streetlighting is a significant expense for council, costing around $113,000 each year. The LED upgrade will go a long way to reducing costs and providing significant long-term savings," Mr Beasley said.
"LEDs are far more energy efficient, require less maintenance and have a significantly longer life."
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Mr Beasley said LED streetlights, consuming around 17 watts each, will replace existing high-energy lights consuming between 50 and 100 watts.
The LED upgrade of street lighting is being undertaken with grant funding of $462,000 under the Local Roads & Community Infrastructure Program.
The electricity savings will be placed in an appropriate reserve for the provision of future community facilities.
Essential Energy streetlight manager, Adele Finch said the organisation continues to work closely with councils across its distribution area and is committed to providing information and services that are appropriate to councils' needs and those of the communities they serve.
Miss Finch acknowledged the valuable input from the Southern Lights NSW Project, whose partners are working closely with Essential Energy to ensure the successful delivery of the project.
"Essential Energy is responsible for the maintenance and billing of more than 160,000 streetlights serving more than 85 councils across New South Wales and parts of Southern Queensland," she said.
"Public lighting plays an important role in providing safe, secure and attractive public areas for both pedestrians and motorists.
"The new LED streetlighting for Yass Valley Council will not only provide a more reliable, better quality lighting service, but will deliver savings of more than 51 per cent in energy consumption.
"This type of light also provides future potential for other 'smart' applications to be added and will allow Essential Energy to more effectively manage the streetlight network and respond more promptly to potential outages."
