Leicestershire LED scheme sees energy consumption drop

Leicestershire County Council upgraded 68,000 street lights to LEDs last year as part of a planned £25 million investment programme, seeing energy consumption cut by 63 per cent.

The scheme, which is set to save the council £2 million a year, has already seen a reduction in the carbon produced, down from 14,752 tonnes in 2013/14 to 3,071 tonnes per year - a 78.9 per cent reduction. This is part of a commitment to achieve carbon neutrality as a council by 2030 following the declaration of a climate emergency in May 2019.

The new lights are controlled by a central management system, which provides flexibility in how lighting is provided. For example, the structure enables those in part-lit areas to be switched back on temporarily during the evening to help the emergency services at incident scenes if necessary, or to dim or brighten lights if needed.

Blake Pain, cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “I’m delighted that the LED scheme is already having a positive effect in the county. We are committed to providing an economic, safe and sustainable way of lighting up towns and villages and it is great to see residents and motorists already benefiting from the upgraded lighting. We will continue to build on this success as we work towards a greener future for the people of Leicestershire.”