Streetlight project a win for councils and the environment

“We are excited to complete our Project ‘Light Years Ahead,’ one of the largest residential street lighting upgrade projects in Australia,” General Manager Endeavour’s Chief Asset and Operating Officer Scott Ryan said.

“The project involved upgrading inefficient streetlights with energy-saving LED lights in nine local government areas in Greater Western Sydney.

“Over the past two years, we’ve been working with councils to replace mercury vapour streetlights with more efficient LED lights, delivering significant positive environmental benefits,” he said.

Mr Ryan said the new LED lights will reduce CO2 emissions by more than 11,000 tonnes, equivalent to taking 4,000 cars off the road.

“The new LED lights also deliver energy savings of 82% per light for councils, cutting their energy bills, which is great news for ratepayers,” he said.

“The new lighting has also slashed maintenance costs as the LEDs have a longer life and need fewer maintenance visits. They will also improve the safety of local communities as they have a brighter and higher quality lighting.

“The massive reduction in emissions is a huge win for the environment and the cost savings are a great outcome for councils’ bottom line,” he said.

Leading the way, Blacktown City Council said the project to date has resulted in a cumulative streetlight cost savings to Council’s energy bill of $848,000. Over the projected 20-year life of these lights that total cost saving is expected to reach $8.5 million.

NSW Minister for Energy and Environment, Matt Kean, launched the program in September 2019 in Woodcroft when Endeavour Energy partnered with the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils, (WSROC) and participating councils: Blacktown, Blue Mountains, Fairfield, Hawkesbury, The Hills, Holroyd, Liverpool, Parramatta and Penrith.