Scotland could soon have every single one of its streetlights replaced with LEDs, the country’s environment minister Richard Lochead has said.
Lochhead has confirmed the government’s nationwide LED streetlighting programme is being brought forward to be considered for funding from the Green Investment Bank (GIB), which has a £3 billion funding pot from the UK government for investment in sustainable projects.
“I have no doubt it will not be long until there is a significant Scottish GIB investment announcement”, he said.
The Scottish government expects to make energy savings of 60 per cent by replacing the country’s existing stock with LEDs. Lochhead said the payback period would be seven to nine years, but he didn’t state how much funding would be needed for the scheme.
“Projects like this are important as indicative analysis by the Scottish Futures Trust indicates that an investment of £350 million in low carbon measures – across the Scottish public estate – could lead to potential cost reductions in the region of £900 million,“ the member of Scottish parliament added.
