Public lighting: continued efforts to reduce energy consumption
Public lighting: continued efforts to reduce energy consumption
Most of the energy-saving measures implemented with regard to street lighting in Brussels in the run-up to winter 2022-2023 were successful. They included dimming (reducing the intensity of LED lights) and a two-week reduction in the duration of Christmas lights. In view of their success, Sibelga, in consultation with the Brussels authorities, has decided to continue certain initiatives, including dimming.
Additional savings of 480 MWh thanks to enhanced dimming!
Sibelga has been using dimming for several years to control the light intensity of public lighting fitted with LEDs between 10pm and 6am.
This measure reduces energy consumption by 10%. However, this initiative is never at the expense of safety. Lighting remains bright at pedestrian crossings and in high-traffic areas.
As part of the energy-saving measures undertaken at the end of 2022, the light intensity of LED street lights was further reduced over the course of the night, resulting in additional savings of 480 MWh. This is equivalent to the annual energy consumption of 200 Brussels households.
Initially scheduled to run until 30 March 2023, and given its success, this measure to reduce light intensity by up to 20% has been extended indefinitely.
Objective for 2030: fully smart municipal street lighting converted to LED
As a reminder, 11.5% of the 87,500 lighting points managed by Sibelga are currently fitted with LEDs. By 2030, Sibelga plans to replace its entire lighting system with LEDs, whose accelerated deployment since the beginning of 2023 will generate significant energy savings.
In addition, Sibelga has been systematically rolling out smart lighting since 2021. Every street light that needs to be replaced or installed is fitted with a remote controllable light capable of communicating in real time. This innovative system allows the optimal management of public lighting, while reducing energy consumption and guaranteeing comfort and safety (thanks to faster intervention in the event of a failure, for example).
