Our Action Plan
Carbon footprint - Streetlighting
Streetlighting
Streetlighting |
2003/04 (result) |
2016/17 (result) |
2017/18 (result) |
2018/19 (result) |
2018/19 v 2017/18 Progress |
2018/19 v 2017/18 % change |
| Carbon emissions (tCO2e) | 2,220 | 1,345 | 1,135 | 886 | Improved | -21.94% |
| Consumption (kWh) | 4,316,478 | 2,993,488 | 2,953,158 | 2,883,115 | Improved | -2.37% |
The Council has reduced carbon emissions from its streetlighting by 60% since 2008 – from 2,220 tCO2e to 886 tCO2e. A reduction in emissions of 21.94% occurred from 2017/18 into 2018/19.
Notes:
(1) 2008 was the year that PCC first recorded energy consumption and emissions from streetlighting for the UK Carbon Reduction Commitment scheme, and thus represents the oldest data set available.
(2) While consumption (kWh) decreased by 2.37% in 2018/19 carbon emissions (tCO2e) decreased rapidly by 21.94% due to a reduction in the emission-conversion factor for electricity. The continuing decarbonisation of the national electricity-distribution network will help to accelerate the reduction of carbon emissions from the Council’s consumption of electricity. The Council contributes to the decarbonisation of the electricity grid every time it connects a renewable-electricity generator (e.g. solar PV panels) to the grid network.
(3) The performance data quoted in this document uses, where appropriate, UK emission-conversion factors issued by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). These factors are published annually – for example:
Greenhouse Gas Reporting Conversion Factors (opens in a new tab)
Actions
- Since 2008, PCC has taken the bold decision to convert 12,726 of 15,747 streetlights to ‘part night’ (i.e. lamps are automatically switched off from midnight to 5:30 am) which has generated annual savings of £178,000, 1,229,000 kWh and 563 tCO2. This policy followed rigorous consultation and has led to a number of compliments from biodiversity and ‘dark skies’ advocates.
- As of August 2019, a total of 3,507 LED streetlamps had been installed.
- In 2019, it was agreed in Cabinet to decommission streetlights that no longer comply if the Council cannot economically repair them – i.e. if their repair requires more than the cost of a new lamp.
- In March 2020, PCC agreed to undertake a Welsh Government-supported Salix interest-free-loan-backed streetlighting project. This entails a two-year upgrade scheme using the Council’s streetlighting maintenance framework contactor to convert all remaining high-power-demand streetlight fittings to LED between 2020 and 2022. This will ensure that Pembrokeshire County Council operates a 100% LED-based streetlighting network. This project focuses on luminaire replacement only, with no column replacement. It will see 11,231 remaining high-power-demand streetlights upgraded to LED. The project will reduce carbon emissions by 322 tonnes annually, and save £205,000 per year in electricity costs. Due to the inherent longevity of LED technology, there will also be a significant additional saving in ongoing maintenance costs associated with existing deteriorating fittings.
Target
An appropriate carbon-reduction target is to be developed as part of the annual review of the Action Plan.
Actions to be undertaken
Ref: NZC - 09
- Action: Develop appropriate carbon-reduction target for the Council’s streetlighting as part of annual review of Action Plan.
- Lead officer: Street Lighting Engineer
- By when: Mar 2021
Ref: NZC - 10
- Action: Upgrade 11,231 remaining high-power-demand streetlights to LED between 2020 and 2022 using agreed Salix and PCC funding.
- Lead officer: Street Lighting Engineer
- By when: Dec 2022
Ref: NZC - 11
- Action: Decommission streetlights that no longer comply if the Council cannot economically repair – i.e. repair costs more than a new lamp.
- Lead officer: Street Lighting Engineer
- By when: First annual review Mar 2021