Plans to extend a programme to convert more street lights in the borough to energy efficient LED will go before Dudley Council’s cabinet when it meets next week.

The proposal to replace 24,000 residential street lamps follows the successful conversion of the 7,100 lights on the borough’s main roads. Energy efficient LED lighting costs less to run, is considered more effective and is also flexible as it can be dimmed at certain times of the night.

Dudley Council’s cabinet will be told the extension of the programme is part of the council’s invest to save project, with the outlay being covered by the savings on electricity.

Switching 7,100 lights has so far reduced annual energy consumption by more than 2.6m kWh per year (comparing 2020/21 to 2021/22) and has reduced the council’s CO2 emissions by 1,250 tonnes per year.

The new LED bulbs will almost halve the energy used by the bulbs they are replacing and, once complete, will reduce consumption by approximately a further three million kWh per year. If approved, the programme to replace the 24,000 street lamps is expected to start early in the new financial year and take three years. Councillor Shaz Saleem, cabinet member for highways and public realm, said:

"I’m delighted we’re proposing to extend our street lamp replacement programme following the successful conversion of the 7,100 on our main roads.

"We are committed to playing our part in reducing our carbon footprint and taking action to reduce our carbon emissions and these energy efficient LED lamps not only reduce our energy consumption but cost significantly less to run.

"The outlay will be more than covered by the savings we make on electricity and because we will be using less, it will ease pressure on the network.
Nationally, the demand for electricity is highest between the months of November and February, between 4pm and 7pm.

"At this time the margin between the electricity generated and that required by households and business is at its tightest."

The proposal will be considered at next Wednesday’s cabinet meeting.