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Have your say on street light energy saving suggestions
People in Neath Port Talbot are being asked for their views on the dimming of high wattage LED street lights by 25% across the county borough and/or switching off lights between 1am and 5am in appropriate areas to cut energy costs.
Members of Neath Port Talbot Council’s Environment, Regeneration and Streetscene Cabinet Board have approved public consultation on the issue.
The cost of energy to the council has increased significantly with the current street lighting energy budget of £1.4m predicted to outturn £295,000 over budget.
In addition, there are significant pressures on the council’s budget, which would make any ongoing deficit very difficult to sustain. As which would make any ongoing deficit very difficult to sustain. As such there is a need to consider potential savings strategies to reduce lighting energy costs if required.
The council has already taken action to cut lighting energy costs by replacing life expired columns, cables with new fluorescent lanterns in residential areas with electronic switch gear and dimming together with replacing high wattage sodium oxide and high pressure sodium lanterns with more energy efficient LED lighting.
If this work had not been carried out then at today’s energy rate of 41p per kWh, the council’s lighting energy bill would be a further £712,000 above the current energy costs.
In addition, in response to the significantly increased costs this year, officers have already implemented the ‘trimming’ of three watts off the power levels for all lanterns, via the council’s central management system as trials indicated this would make no discernible difference to lighting levels and would enable some immediate cost savings.
As well as dimming, it is proposed street lights in residential areas could potentially be switched off in the small hours.
While any actions would follow the outcome of public consultation, the order of potential savings would be as follows:
• Dimming the output of LED Lanterns by 25% all night - an annual saving of up to £115,000.
• Part Night Lighting where potentially suitable between 1am – 5am - an annual saving of up to £218,000.
• Part Night Lighting where potentially suitable and dimming of LEDs elsewhere - an annual saving of up to £285,000. (Note: All potential savings are modelled on a current energy cost of 41p/KWH.)
While the council’s primary goal at this moment in time is to secure financial savings, the proposal will also result in a reduction in carbon emissions which will in time, and in combination with other activities, contribute towards the council’s aim to achieve net zero carbon.
Crime and the fear of crime, are matters of public concern which this consultation will help provide better understanding of in relation to potential street lighting saving strategies. The public consultation process includes specific consultation with the emergency services and internal sections in relation to road safety and CCTV.
This is how you can give your views: www.npt.gov.uk/consultations
The consultation runs from now until January 31st, 2024. A report on the outcome of consultations will be considered by members of the council next year