• Mass switch to LEDs could save UK’s councils £200 million per year
• 600,000 tonnes of carbon could be also be saved 
  

New figures produced by climate charity 10:10 show a mass switch to LED street lights could save the UK’s councils over £200 million per year combined.

(Image: 10:10 Climate Action)

The figures, compiled by energy expert Chris Goodall using data from a series of councils across the UK, put into clear detail the benefits of making the switch to the more efficient lighting. As well as saving councils £200 million a year, we could save over 600,000 tonnes of carbon a year, the equivalent of removing 400,000 cars from the road.

Compared to conventional bulbs which have to be replaced after 4-6 years, LEDs can last for over 20 years, reducing waste and saving time and money on maintenance. Compared to conventional street lighting, LEDs have demonstrated energy savings of up to 50-70%. This can rise as high as 80% when combined with smart sensors and controls.

Whilst the benefits of LEDs have been known for a while, councils have been slow to switch. By 2014, only 10% of councils had switched to LED street lights, with the most recent estimate suggesting this has only increased to 20%. 10:10 Climate Action are asking voters to speed up the process, and call on their councils to switch their streetlights to LEDs within five years.

“These figures show just how bright an idea LED switching is. In these tough financial times £200 million per year is a huge amount - that’s the same as providing nearly 500,000 pupils with free school meals each year. And coupled with clear environmental benefits it becomes a no brainer. That’s why we’re calling on councils to take up the pledge to switch to greener, cheaper LED street lighting by 2022,” said Neil Jones, campaigner at 10:10 Climate Action.

“As these figures show, the case for switching to LED is clear. It means more money for councils, less carbon in our atmosphere as well as safer, better lit streets. The time has never been better to get behind the LED revolution,” said Chris Goodall, leading researcher into new energy technologies.

Click on the infographic to learn more about the report. (Image: Green Investment Bank)