Xcel Energy has started to roll out a large scale LED streetlight upgrade in Minnesota to cut back energy consumption, reported Startribune.

About 90,000 streetlights will be replaced with LEDs in nearly 350 communities in Twin Cities and in Minnesota.

The streetlight conversion project is expected to bring economic, environmental and aesthetic benefits in the Osakis area in central Minnesota and will take 2.5 years to complete.

The energy utility company will be focusing on northwestern and central Minnesota, Xcel before it turns to the Twin Cities area by Nov. 1, 2016.

The state’s two largest cities operate a combined 60,000 streetlights.

Ahead of installing LED fixtures, Xcel tried out the technology in three pilot projects, the largest one was implemented in West St. Paul. Upgrade of 537 streetlights in the suburb has showed significant cut in energy consumption, the utility company announced Tuesday.

LED fixtures can cut electricity consumption by 40% to 60% than cobra head-shaped HPS lights and have a longer life time. Following the conversion, communities are expected to save 4% to 7% annually on streetlight bills.

Wattage of the new fixtures range from 100 to 400.

The installations will be carried out by Xcel Energy, and the utility company will cover all costs for the retrofits, including the removal and saving old lights and placement of the new lighting fixtures.

Xcel’s streetlight conversion in Minnesota is part of its LED conversion of 300,000 streetlights.

Changes in streetlight installations were completed in North Dakota and Wisconsin, and are currently being rolled out in South Dakota, Michigan, Colorado, Texas and New Mexico.

Speaking over concerns about the ill-effects of cool white LED streetlighting, Xcel Energy spokesman Matt Lindstrom showed confidence in the company’s choice of LED streetlights with significantly less glare for improved nighttime visibility, and better color discernment.