Final set of streetlights in Norfolk set to be upgraded to LEDs

Tens of thousands of streetlights in Norfolk have been swapped to energy-efficient LED lighting since 2008

Author: Matt SoanesPublished 27th Aug 2023

Norfolk County Council says its starting work to upgrade the final set of streetlights in the county yet to have energy-efficient LEDs fitted.

The work, which is still expected to take around two years, will cut hundreds of tonnes of carbon emissions, as the bulbs use much less energy than halogen alternatives.

Around 16,800 streetlights across the county will need upgrading, at a cost of around £7.5m.

It's estimated the move will save around £380,000 per year in electricity costs, on top of energy already saved by fitting LEDs elsewhere.

The local authority has been swapping its lights for LEDs since 2008.

Councillor Graham Plant, Norfolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure, said

“The move to LED lighting shows how technology can help us reduce our carbon emissions while maintaining services and public amenities."

"With the entirety of our streetlighting soon to be using LED lanterns, we’re keeping Norfolk’s streets lit while avoiding hundreds of tonnes of carbon dioxide being pumped into the atmosphere each year.

“And the benefits don’t stop there: the new lanterns can be controlled centrally by a Central Management System that will allow us to adapt streetlighting to changing traffic patterns without needing to send crews out to replace lanterns again, saving us time, money and – yes – the carbon emissions of those teams travelling across the county.”

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