The ACT Government has recently installed new LED street lighting on residential streets in Isabella Plains as part of a move to improve streetlights across Canberra while also reducing overall costs.
Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, Shane Rattenbury, said the work in Isabella Plains is the first time in the ACT where LEDs have been retrofitted to entire streets in the ACT.
“Thirty-two lights were replaced with LEDs in Keverstone Circuit, Heddon Place and Jiggi Place in Isabella Plains,” Mr Rattenbury said. “There are both environmental and economic benefits to installing LEDs rather than conventional streetlights.”
Mr Rattenbury explained that there is also an important saving to the Government in maintenance costs. The LEDs should not require maintenance for 12 years, rather than the five year lamp change expected for compact fluorescent streetlights. While the initial cost of the new LEDs is more expensive ($385 compared to $200 for conventional fluorescent lights), the cost is recouped after just 6 year.
“The LED lights save about seven watts per fitting. While this is a relatively small amount, every reduction in electricity makes a difference and the cumulative impact of LED usage will be significant.” Mr Rattenburry commented.
Mr Rattenburry pointed out that approximately 7,000 streetlights per annum will be installed with LED lights. With over 75,000 streetlights across the ACT, it is expected that all streetlights will have LED lights installed over the next 10 years.