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N. Cowichan to save thousands with LEDs

Once complete, this project will save approximately 272 K kilowatt hours of electricity per year — enough power to run 25 average homes

The Municipality of North Cowichan is undertaking a project, with support from BC Hydro, to install Light-Emitting Diode (LED) fixtures in 650 municipally-owned streetlights.

It’s all about saving money and energy.

LED streetlight fixtures are more energy efficient than traditional high pressure sodium fixtures, resulting in a longer lifespan, lower operational costs, and significant energy savings.

“The municipality is committed to delivering meaningful, proactive projects to reduce its carbon footprint,” Mayor Jon Lefebure said. “This project takes us one step closer to maximizing our energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

North Cowichan began Jan. 18, replacing 117 lights in the Trillium Terrace and Kingsview Road areas.

The remaining 533 lights are scheduled to be retrofitted before the end of 2016.

Once complete, this project will save approximately 272 K kilowatt hours of electricity per year — enough power to run 25 average homes — and save about $743,000 over the minimum life expectancy of the LED fixtures, which is 15 years. These streetlights last up to five times longer than traditional light fixtures and deliver better colour recognition and even focus the light better than traditional light fixtures.

The Municipality of North Cowichan will reduce its corporate emissions by 6.8 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) through this project.

The old fixtures that are being replaced will be recycled.

Any streetlights mounted on a wooden pole are owned by BC Hydro and will not be replaced under the current project.