Highland Council To Dim Street Lights To Save

14th February 2019

One of the smaller cuts to save money at Highland council budget meeting today 14th February 2019 was the dimming of street lights on new LED systems.

Further reduction in street lighting energy consumption between 24:00 and 06:00. Reduce brightness by an additional 20% on all new LED street lights.

Reduce the power consumed between 24:00 and 06:00 for future installation of LED street lighting from the current 70% power setting to 50% power.

Under the LED street lighting programme, 8000 LED units are installed per annum. Allowing for those locations requiring higher illumination, such as junctions and pedestrian crossings, about 6500 units per year can be set at 50% between 24:00 and 06:00.

For new developments the option for a full switch off in suitable rural areas will also be offered to communities, this would be subject to local consultation.

The Policy on Street Lighting will need to be updated and approved by EDI Committee. A report is due to be presented to a future EDI Committee.

Introduction of LED lighting has enabled dimming to be used overnight rather than full switch off. Since April 2017, all new LED units have been ordered with factory setting of 70% from midnight to 6am. There have been no complaints from the public. For the future, the option of 50% dimming is proposed, where it is safe to do so. The LED unit has to be factory set and this cannot be changed on site once fitted.

Previous engagement has highlighted that a number of rural communities have asked for complete switch off of lights. The new technology enables this for new developments and this will be offered as an option subject to local consultation

https://www.highland.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/4084/highland_council