LED to light up Kaipara

Kaipara District Council has secured a total budget of $1.20 million (comprised of shared funding from the government (85%) and Kaipara District Council (15%)) to accelerate its LED street lighting programme.

The funding means work to replace the majority of the street lights in the Kaipara District with more energy efficient lighting can start earlier and be completed within 12 months.

The LED street lights offer a clearer, brighter light than the old, yellow high pressure sodium lamps. The new lights also have a significantly longer life, require less maintenance and have lower power usage, which adds up to major cost savings.

The new 853 LED lights will cover the majority of local streets in the district and are predominately 70 watts High Pressure Sodium lights. The LED conversion project is for all existing lights which are 100 watts or lower capacity, anything above 100 watts will require specific design.

The new LED lights have a total power consumption of 25 watts with no ballast which means a total power consumption of 0.025kW per hour for the district, a 35% decrease (compared to current power usage).

Peter Tynan, Acting Chief Executive of Kaipara District Council says “As well as offering cost savings through maintenance and energy costs, the new, brighter white lights enable people to see more clearly. There is an added benefit in a drop in light pollution resulting in less glare or a ‘yellow haze’ as you approach a township at night.”

“LED lighting is becoming the standard for street lighting in cities throughout the world and securing this funding from the government means that communities throughout the district can now benefit from the change.” The new LED lights will cover all streets in Aranga, Arapaoa, Dargaville, Glinks Gully, Kaihu, Kaiwaka, Mangatu, Mangawhai, Matakohe, Maungaturoto, Pahi, Paparoa, Pouto, Pukehuia, Ruawai, Te Kopuru, Tinopai and Whakapirau apart from those on State Highway’s. The roll out will take place over the next year with local operator McKay’s Electrical being awarded the contract.

ENDS

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