Glasgow Switches To Low-Energy Lights

Thousands of street lights in Glasgow are to be replaced with more energy-efficient lamps. Around 10,000 street lamps on the main roads into the city will be changed into new low-energy LED streetlights as part of a scheme backed by the UK government-funded Green Investment Bank (GIB). Glasgow City Council is the first local authority to secure a new Green Loan for the street lighting project. The loan will finance the first wave of the council's plan at an expected cost of £6.3m and the new lights will use at least 50% less energy than the old versions. The next phase of Glasgow's LED lighting project will replace a further 60,000 street lamps and their columns. Thousands of street lights in Glasgow are to be replaced with more energy-efficient lamps. Around 10,000 street lamps on the main roads into the city will be changed into new low-energy LED streetlights as part of a scheme backed by the UK government-funded Green Investment Bank (GIB). Glasgow City Council is the first local authority to secure a new Green Loan for the street lighting project. The loan will finance the first wave of the council's plan at an expected cost of £6.3m and the new lights will use at least 50% less energy than the old versions. The next phase of Glasgow's LED lighting project will replace a further 60,000 street lamps and their columns. WWF Scotland director Lang Banks said: This investment is great news for Glasgow taxpayers as well as the planet.Across the country local authorities are spending millions of pounds every year on street lighting. As a significant proportion of the electricity being used to power street lighting comes from fossil fuels, then they are also contributing to climate change emissions. Some councils have estimated that street lighting makes up 10% of the their carbon footprint. Therefore, a nationwide shift to more energy-efficient lighting such as LEDs would make a significant dent in council-related carbon emissions.Pound for pound improved energy efficiency is the most cost-effective way to cut energy demand and the associated climate pollution. With the support of central government we would encourage every local authority to take similar action to save energy.