Leeds City Council Completes £22.5 Million LED Streetlight Initiative: 90,000 Lights Installed for Enhanced Efficiency

Image credit: Leeds City Council

Leeds City Council has concluded its ambitious £22.5 million LED street lighting project by installing the final light at Edith Sykes Drive in the city's eastern part.

This milestone marks the completion of the LED Lighting Scheme, poised to slash annual electricity costs by £3.4 million and curtail carbon emissions by a substantial 7,050 tonnes.

Initiated in December 2018, the program has successfully transitioned over 89,000 streetlights to state-of-the-art LED lamps in collaboration with Enerveo, the street lighting partner operating under Tay Valley Lighting.

In addition to their superior energy efficiency, extended lifespan, and reduced waste heat emission compared to conventional bulbs, the new LED lanterns boast enhanced durability and recyclability, contributing to increased efficiency and minimized emissions during maintenance visits.

Councillor Helen Hayden, the executive member for sustainable development and infrastructure, hailed the scheme's completion as a pivotal moment in the city's quest for energy efficiency and sustainability enhancements.

"This investment will deliver immediate cost savings and lay the groundwork for future advancements in smart technology," she said.

The announcement follows a series of city-wide environmental and sustainability initiatives recently unveiled in Leeds. Notably, in December, the City Council announced plans to connect three tower blocks, comprising over 250 homes, to the flagship Leeds PIPES district heating network by early 2024.

The £62 million PIPES network, consisting of insulated underground pipes, supplied 22,029MWH of heating in 2022, resulting in a reduction of 3,975 tonnes in the city's carbon footprint. Additionally, existing customers benefited from nearly half a million pounds in reduced energy costs during 2023.