This month will see the start of a countywide streetlighting upgrade across Cornwall, according to the council.
The project will run over the next three years. It will see the majority of our 55,000 streetlights replaced with new LED fittings. The project will be completed by Enerveo, the council’s maintenance contractor.
This project is essential due to the following reasons
*The commitment by Cornwall Council to be Carbon Neutral Cornwall by 2030
*A worldwide component shortage for maintaining our current stock. As well as much of the stock reaching end of life
*Increasing surge in energy costs.
Cornwall Council is investing £15.5 million over a three-year period to convert all the streetlights to LED. It currently spends £1.6 million a year on energy use for streetlights. By converting to LED, the council will use around 65% less energy. This will save £0.6 million a year (as of prices at October 2020). If energy prices continue to rise as predicted, the saving will be even greater, said the council.
In the past, shields have been installed where light glare has been an issue for residents. The council said it believes the new lanterns will reduce the need for shields. This is due to the light source being set into the body of the lantern rather than protruding. The council has also chosen a lantern that has a higher number of LEDs but a low running current. This is more comfortable to the human eye as it creates a less intense point of light, said the council.
