A new national framework to help councils drive forward major energy efficient street light replacements has gone live.

Thirteen companies – including eight Scottish – are suppliers on the new framework which will help councils source the specialist man power needed to upgrade traditional street lights with LED lights.

Scotland Excel will help the Scotland Council replace some 131,000 streetlights. (Photo courtesy of Scotland Excel)

It’s estimated the four year Scotland Excel framework will be worth GBP 5 million (US $6.52 million) a year. It is the first framework of its kind in Scotland for this type of service for councils.

By giving councils quick and easy access to specialist contractors to deliver LED replacement programmes - the new framework will complement Scotland Excel’s existing street lighting materials framework that started in July 2014.

Councillor Mike Holmes, Convener of Scotland Excel, said: “Together the existing materials framework and our new installation framework give councils the tools to form contracts with suppliers for the materials and man power they need to deliver major LED upgrades. This is a key focus of local authorities because it will deliver significant cost savings and carbon reductions.

“As well as offering an estimated average cost saving of 27% - sustainability is at the heart of this framework. Its key focus is helping councils to press forward with large-scale LED installations which will cut emissions and running costs because they use between 50% and 60% less energy than traditional lamps.

“LEDs also have a longer life span of up to 25 years and need less maintenance than traditional lights and this brings extra efficiencies. In fact LED lights pay for themselves through savings within the first six years.

“The new framework is also good for business with nine of the suppliers small to medium enterprises. And because this framework is for installation only, as opposed to ‘supply and fit’, it’s opened up opportunities to smaller companies that don’t source and provide the materials as part of their service.”

The contract will also support the delivery of community benefits with seven suppliers pledging to employ an apprentice as part of it. And it will drive fair work practices with seven contractors committed to gaining Living Wage accreditation. One’s already going through the process, and three already pay the Scottish Living Wage.

Background information:

The existing materials framework (established two years ago) is being used by all 32 Scottish councils and has supported a spend of GBP 32.7 million.

In April 2014 there were 10,000 LED street lights in Scotland and this had grown to 131,000 by April 2016 (that’s 15% of Scotland’s street lights). A significant amount of these were sourced through Scotland Excel’s materials framework.

Those 131,000 LED lights will save 106,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year – that’s 2,000,000 tonnes over 20 years. This will generate a saving of GBP 1.2 billion over 20 years.

Suppliers to the new Street Lighting – Bulk Replacement of Luminaires Framework are:

• Alan Mearns Electrical Ltd (Aberdeen) SME
• Gordon Electrical Limited (Dunblane) SME
• J Plant Hire (Lochgilphead) SME
• Lightways Contractors Limited (Falkirk) SME
• Neil Campbell Electrical Contractors Ltd (Western Isles) SME
• Power1 Electrical Contractors Limited (Paisley) SME
• Spie Limited (Rutherglen)
• T&N Gilmartin Ltd (Tayside) SME
• Centregreat Ltd (Wales) SME
• Amey LG Limited (England)
• BAM Nuttal Limited (England)
• Jones Lighting Ltd (England) SME
• SSE Contracting Limited (England)