A wind and solar powered LED streetlight similar to those that will be installed in Sheringham
North Norfolk District Council is installing wind and solar powered LED lighting to end a seaside promenade’s decade of darkness.
Tough coastal conditions caused the electric streetlights on Sheringham town’s east promenade to stop working 10 years ago, when its underground cabling became corroded with sea salt. Replacing the electric cabling was found to be a costly and complex exercise for the council, which began seeking a renewable solution to its lighting problem.
After a successful trial of renewable lighting last winter, Marlec Engineering, a Corby-based wind turbine and renewable energy manufacturer, will begin installing wind and solar powered streetlights along the east promenade on Monday, November 12.
The council will pay just under £53,000 for the 12 streetlights, which will deliver renewable energy stored in a battery under each lighting column. They will operate from dawn to dusk and an internal reflector in each light will minimise light pollution. Each streetlight has four cluster LED lamps using a total energy of 20W. The company adapted a lamp head made by CU Phosco to take the LED fittings.
Peter Battrick, a spokesman for North Norfolk District Council said: “The seaside is a harsh environment so we needed lighting that could withstand a battering from the coast. The high cost of using traditional power sources is associated with having to duct a new cable along the length of the promenade, either within the cliff or under the reinforced concrete sea defences. Neither of which is desirable and both would be extremely complicated and disruptive. Sheringham is an all-year-round resort. People like a walk by the promenade even in winter. It will be good to have the lights back on for them and more efficient, low energy lighting.”
