OREANDA-NEWS. Ealing’s old street-lights are to be replaced with new energy efficient LED lanterns – saving the local authority more than half a million pounds a year whilst also making streets safer.

Ealing’s 24,000 streetlights are maintained under a 25 year PFI (private finance initiative) contract, with SSE Enterprise Lighting responsible for their on-going maintenance.

The existing outdated high-pressure sodium lights will be replaced with the latest LED lanterns as part of SSE Enterprise Lighting’s normal maintenance programme. All of the new lights will be installed by October 2016. Ornate streetlights in conservation areas will not be upgraded to LED at the present time as the technology for these types of lights is not sufficiently developed.

Ealing Council is investing ?6 million in the switch, but it is estimated that it will result in a saving of between 43% and 50% – which equates to around ?400,000 – on the annual street lighting electricity bill. The local authority will also save around ?100,000 a year in maintenance costs as LED lights are more reliable and last for longer.

Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, Ealing Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, said: “Everyone wants to save money on their energy bills and, given the significant savings we have to make, this deal is a no-brainer with better lighting and significant savings for the council and residents."

Mark Rough, SSE Enterprise Contracting Group Operations Director, said: “Street lighting technology has developed significantly in recent years, both in terms of performance and efficiency.”

“It is therefore no surprise that Ealing Council is keen to take advantage of the benefits that come with upgrading to LED technology and we are delighted to be working with the local authority on this project.”