The energy-efficient lighting takeover is already a global phenomenon, as has been demonstrated by the decision taken across the Channel to replace all of the lighting within the most famous transport network in France - the Parisian Metro - with LEDs.
Collectively, the multi-year contracts will cost €11 million (£9.6 million) to complete, cover approximately one million sq m and will see 250,000 LED lights installed across 302 metro stations and 66 RER stations - the latter another public transport service around Paris and its suburbs, but which is quicker than the Metro and has fewer stops.
Between next month - when the rollout initiates at Franklin D Roosevelt metro station - and 2017, 100 stations will be completed each year - a project that will eventually see the energy used by the metro slashed by more than 50 per cent, according to LEDs Magazine.
Philips, which is taking on the vast majority of the work, has said the quality of light will also be greatly improved. Benjamin Azoulay, general manager of Philips Lighting France, said the company was proud to be working on the project, which will see the Paris Metro and RER become the world's first transport system to become fully operational with LED lighting.
The company that runs Paris' public transport system RATP set a target to cut its energy usage and emissions by 15 per cent from 2004 by 2020. The project to fit the stations with LED lighting should make a significant contribution to this target, as the RATP's stations currently comprise about 12 per cent of the Parisian transport system's total energy usage.
This project provides yet more evidence that LED lighting is not simply a lot of fuss about nothing. RATP carried out several tests in various stations before coming to the conclusion that taking the plunge and installing the lights across the whole metro system would be worth it.
Any businesses looking for valuable ways to save money and improve their carbon footprint should carefully consider a retrofit lighting project. Even just installing some new outdoor lighting can make a difference and the work certainly need not be disruptive to a firm's commercial interests.
