More than 4812 streetlights in the City of Port Adelaide Enfield (City of PAE) area have been switched over to LED light bulbs, with stage one of the council’s bulk LED rollout project now complete.
In 2023, SA Power Networks partnered with the City of Port Adelaide Enfield to roll out the project, focussing on Stobie pole-mounted lights on residential streets. The $2.46 million project began in December 2023 and finished by its target of the end of the 2023–24 financial year.
SA Power Networks said that currently, around half of South Australia’s streetlights are illuminated by energy-efficient LED bulbs, and the utility is committed to helping empower this change and move towards a future that’s not only greener but also more cost-effective for energy users.
City of PAE Mayor, Claire Boan, said, “We are thrilled to have completed stage one of the LED rollout across the city of PAE, with over 4,500 new energy efficient lights installed in partnership with SA Power Networks. 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.”
LED creates light up to 82 per cent more efficiently than traditional streetlights. These bulbs are also more considerate to residents and the environment, as their improved design reduces light pollution and prevents light spill into properties.
Under LEDs, light is spread more evenly across roads and footpaths and objects look more natural. The lights need less maintenance throughout their lifetime, which reduces operating costs, and they produce much less direct greenhouse gas emissions than their traditional counterparts.
While SA Power Networks maintains most streetlighting in South Australia, councils cover the costs for supply and energy usage through public lighting tariffs.
SA Power Networks said that over the past year, energy costs for streetlights have seen a substantial rise, however, once the full LED rollout is completed, the council expects to save hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.
The collaboration between the City of PAE and SA Power Networks was overseen by SA Power Networks Public Lighting Asset Manager, Claire Stobbe, with project management coordinated by Gray Consulting.
Ms Stobbe said that the extensive cooperation between all parties was the foundation of the project’s success.
“Project Manager Adam Gray (Gray Consulting) and myself played a pivotal role in overseeing operational issues and project progress through regular meetings, addressing challenges such as access to lights, vegetation clearance issues, as well as managing installation numbers and billing.
“We met regularly to ensure the project progressed as planned and on target, aiming for full completion of stage one by the end of the financial year which was achieved.”
Ms Stobbe also shared SA Power Networks’ thorough cost-benefit and energy savings analysis was fundamental in securing this project for council.
“It’s a privilege to contribute to the council’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets decrease. This partnership significantly reduced costs for the council and their community, achieving substantial annual savings in operational efficiency, environmental impact, and financial costs.
“I am delighted with the completion of stage one and eagerly anticipate collaborating again with the council soon to upgrade their remaining lighting assets.”
Featured image: SA Power Networks.
