Signify helps Somerset switch to energy-efficient LED street lighting

• Upgrading 20,000 conventional light points to the Philips TrueForce LED range is expected to help reduce emissions and cut energy costs by up to £160k per year.
• Lighting upgrade is a major step in the county’s goal to hit net zero by 2030.
• With low upfront costs, the retrofit solution prolongs the life of traditional lanterns to maintain the county’s traditional aesthetic and reduce waste.

Somerset’s towns and city are currently lit by a combination of conventional and LED street lighting. Signify will upgrade approximately 20,000 remaining conventional light points with products from its Philips TrueForce LED range. Through the first phase of the program in 2022, the Council estimates a saving of £160k per year (based on the revised 2022 rates) in energy costs and a full return on investment within the first 18 months of installation. In 2023, a second phase, which will see additional districts added to the programme, will further reduce energy expenditure and slash carbon emissions.

Somerset has been on its path to carbon neutrality since 2020, but skyrocketing energy prices and the need for safer streets for pedestrian and highway users have raised the urgency of replacing outdated technology with alternatives that are long lasting, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly. Switching from conventional streetlights to LED is a relatively quick and low-cost intervention that can cut energy consumption by up to 50%, and the effects are immediate.

According to Signify’ s own data, if the entire UK&I region followed the example of Somerset County Council and switched all conventional road and streetlights to LED, the country could save 603 thousand tonnes of carbon and £520 million per year in energy costs.

Beyond energy and climate goals, upgraded lighting offers improved visibility to towns around the county, helping residents feel safe and secure, and boosting visibility for CCTV.

Somerset County Council worked with Signify to select lighting solutions that would combine the performance of modern lighting technology while keeping to the traditional aesthetic of the area’s towns and villages. By using retrofit lamps, the county will transform traditional lanterns to reap the benefits of high-performance, energy-saving technology. This retrofit solution avoids high upfront costs, prolongs the life of traditional lanterns, and preserves the county’s historic appeal.