Conwy County Borough Council is transitioning to energy-efficient street lighting with support from the Energy Service.
Summary
In 2019 to 2020, Conwy County Borough Council (CBC) accelerated its transition to energy-efficient street lighting with support from the Welsh Government Energy Service. The council replaced over 5,000 ageing and inefficient streetlights, 75% of its total stock, with modern LED lamps. At the time of installation, the upgrade was expected to deliver a 50% reduction in carbon emissions and running costs, while significantly extending the operational life of the lighting infrastructure.
Our support
The Energy Service provided technical calculations, financial assessments, and strategic guidance to develop a robust upgrade programme. This included preparing a successful business case that secured a £1.77 million loan from the Wales Funding Programme.
Technology solution
- Replacement of over 5,000 streetlights with energy-efficient LED lamps.
- Covers 75% of Conwy’s total street lighting stock.
- Improved reliability and longer lifespan, reducing maintenance costs.
Investment
- £1.77 million loan from the Wales Funding Programme.
Impact
- Estimated £4.5 million savings in energy bills over 20 years.
- Over 8,000 tonnes of CO₂e saved, equivalent to 5% of the council’s total energy-related emissions.
- Lower maintenance costs due to improved lamp reliability.
- Supports Conwy CBC’s goal to become a net-zero carbon user by 2030.
Conwy County Borough Council is focused on climate change as the defining issue of our time and the greatest threat to our well-being, globally and locally. The authority is working on a plan to be a net-zero carbon user by 2030. Conwy CBC were extremely grateful for the support and assistance provided by the Energy Service in preparing the funding application to Welsh Government. The team supported Conwy CBC in undertaking a thorough gap analysis of the street lighting asset and provided robust and sensible cost-saving option models that best suited the authority’s resource and delivery strategy.
Richard Cochran, Street Lighting Manager, Conwy County Borough Council.
