George Municipality installs LEDs in streetlamps

George Municipality is going light in more ways than one. The Electro-technical directorate aims to reduce electricity consumption of streetlights by up to  50% with the replacement of our ageing fittings with modern Light Emitting Diode (LED) type streetlights.

"The estimated operating savings per annum equates to nearly half a million rand for streetlights alone," said Chantel Edwards-klose, George Municipality Spokesperson.

"In addition the  LED’s have a predicated operating lifespan of up to 100 000 hours, which is on average three times as much as conventional streetlights, thereby also significantly reducing maintenance costs.

"This project was initiated by the George’s Electro-Technical Department who with the assistance of Clinkscales Maughan-Brown Consulting Engineers applied to the Department of Energy (DOE) for funding."

She said that a R7 million grant was received for the 2017/18 financial year and a second R7 million for the 2018/19 financial year.  

"The grant application process  required a comprehensive baseline study and business plan to identify viable projects taking into account the initial procurement and implementation costs of equipment and services and the potential savings in terms of the reduced operating costs to be realised on completion of each project," Edwards-klose added.

"The DOE undertakes strict verification to ensure that the required goals are achieved and the project funding includes an Energy Awareness component, the training and development of junior staff in the field of electrical engineering and the capacitation of the municipal directorate.

"This initiative forms part of the George Municipality’s goal of becoming the 'greenest' municipality in the country.  The new LED streetlight fittings provide an intensive white light and are compact in size with a sleek profile."

Approximately 75 LED streetlights have already been installed in Nelson Mandela Boulevard to date and a further 760 streetlights and 270 highmast lights will be installed over a two year period.

Izazi Technologies  have been appointed as the contractors for installation and will be assisted by sub-contractors Coalition Trading 974.

Image: George Municipality Portfolio Councillor for Electro-technical Services, Edmund Bussack holds the new compact energy efficient LED light fitting. From the left – Steyn Van Der Merwe, Deputy Director Planning and Design Electro-Technical Services, George Municipality, Masithenbe Bam Izazi Technologies, Cllr Bussack, Deon Esterhuysen, Senior Manager Planning Electro-Technical Services, George Municipality, Osmond Ngcizela Izazi Technologies (holding an example of the old bulky streetlight fitting), Stephen Meggersee, Associate  for Clinckscales Maughan-Brown and Luncedo Gadu, Izazi Technologies.