Edinburgh Council is spending £2.15 million on upgrading 6,000 street lights across the city, primarily using LED and PLL - outdoor long life fluorescent - technology.
The upgrade follows the Council's White Light Pilot Project where 271 street lights were upgraded in two areas of Edinburgh. A survey of residents during the pilot found that 89% were satisfied with the lights and 83% thought the brightness was 'about right'
The Council currently has approximately 63,418 street lights. The cost of this electricity consumption is currently £2.97m per year. The new street lighting could save the council £280,000 per year.
The conversion will be paid for through a loan from Salix, a Government energy projects funding provider.
Source: Andrew Lee
The National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh
Plans to introduce more white light technology to the city could also see the installation of LED stair lights maintained by the Council in around 14,100 tenements across the capital. The upgrade would save approximately £1.25m in energy each year.
Vice Convener of Transport and Environment Councillor Jim Orr said: "The trials of this technology were a huge success and residents told us they liked the crisper, brighter light and thought it was better than the old kind of street lights.
"We're now looking at rolling white lighting across the city which will save millions in the long run as well as making Edinburgh look better. Obviously, these lights are also much more energy efficient which is all part of Edinburgh's sustainability journey."
A spokeswoman for the Council added: "This is an agreement in principal to roll out white light to other parts of the city but until such times as a detailed design is carried out - which is done on a street by street basis - we will not be in a position to procure lanterns."
