LED Streetlight Rollout

Ausgrid operates around 250,000 streetlights across our network, with a remuneration agreement with individual councils. Currently we are working with 33 councils in our network area which is in parts of Sydney, the Central Coast and the Hunter.

As part of this LED Replacement program, we will be replacing around 100,000 older streetlights across our network. In this phase, we will undertake the minor residential roads, with the main/major roads covered in the next phase of the program.

Street lighting is a vital community asset that helps our community feel safer and more secure. Residents have told us they prefer the lighting quality and colour of LEDs over the older lights on our network. Furthermore, these LEDs are more energy efficient, low maintenance and cost effective in the long run.

This is a joint initiative with councils across out network, which we anticipate to be rolled out in phases, first over the Minor Roads (Cat P) and secondly on Major Roads (Cat V lighting).

By using a fraction of the energy of older streetlights LEDs will deliver significant environmental benefits by reducing council carbon emissions by tens of thousands of tonnes every year across our network.

LEDs use much less energy than older streetlights which means councils will save significantly on their lighting costs which are paid by ratepayers.

Lord Mayor, Clover Moore stated:

‘This partnership with Ausgrid to upgrade the remaining streetlights will mean that we save 3,600 MWh of electricity per year and 3,500 tonnes of carbon a year – approximately nine per cent of our city’s carbon footprint.

We own 6,500 street lights in our area and in 2009 we were the first council in Australia to trial LEDs. That saved ratepayers $800,000 a year in energy costs and reduced our carbon emissions by 2,400 tonnes a year.

It is the single largest carbon reduction project that we are working on and I thank Ausgrid for their commitment and partnership.’

Read more in the Ausgrid Media Release.

LEDs are generally brighter than traditional luminaires, and the perceived impact would differ from person to person.

Our current standard luminaires are 4000 Kelvin (K) which provides greater levels of visibility than the 3000K comparison. Whilst Ausgrid is continually looking at ways to improve or upgrade the assets we own and maintain, we currently don't have plans to change these lights. In regards to concerns about 4000K lighting:

• Network Standard NS119 is the basis for selection of luminaires in Ausgrid service areas which is compliant with the requirements of the NSW Public Lighting Code and Australian Standards, including AS1158. Prior to adopting any new standards, assets require internal and external review, testing and assessment.
• Power consumption on a luminaire with 3000K is 1-2 watts higher than the 4000K equivalent, with the latter providing a more environmentally sustainable and cost effective option.
• Street lighting is only one area that could impact people due to glare or circadian disruption, with most households utilising laptops, mobiles, TVs etc. Our home electronics could have much higher light output and blue light optics (over 4000K). Light levels in offices and schools for example, are generally 4000K, and over, lighted with much higher light levels.
  Finally, once the LEDs are installed, and you feel that the streetlight is now brighter and emits more glares into your residence, you could contact your local council whom are responsible for handling these enquiries.

The delivery of the program is subject to local council approvals. We anticipate the project to be delivered by mid-2022. This is in reference to minor roads.

It must be noted that these are estimated timings, and the actual work will be completed in phases in consultation and collaboration with councils.

We expect the replacement of LED streetlights with minimal disruption or outages of equipment. Furthermore, no civil works or excessive noise is envisaged with the activity.

We will adhere to legal working times with each replacement expected be completed within 30 minutes.

LED is the short form for ‘Light-emitting diodes.’ Effectively they are semiconductor devices which produce light when an electrical current is passed through them.

The new LED lamps being installed are much easier to maintain than older streetlights and each LED is expected to last for up to 20 years.

Solar street lights are an evolving technology and at this stage LEDs seemed to be the most practical solution.

LED lamps can produce the same level of light as current streetlights for far less energy, making them more efficient. It takes up to 95 watts to power older streetlights whereas the new LEDs use just 17 watts.

Please raise this request with your local council.

You can report faulty streetlights on the Ausgrid website. If the streetlight you want to report does not appear on our map please contact youe local council.