Anyone out after dark in Prince Rupert will notice a change in brightness, as street lights are being updated to Light-Emitting Diode (LED) lighting.
The conversion from the old High Pressure Sodium fixtures to the new LED lights comes from the City of Prince Rupert in partnership with the Innovation Clean Energy Fund provided by the province, the Pacific Green Energy Initiative and BC Hydro Power Smart. The total cost of the project is budgeted at approximately $900,000, with the City contributing $600,000 with $300,000 from grants and other sources.
LED Roadway Lighting Ltd., the manufacturers of the lights, claim the new fixtures last up to two decades and have an annual reduction of approximately 30 per cent to 50 per cent in power consumption.
“The City is anticipating annual savings of approximately $60,000 in electricity and maintenance, but the City will not be certain of the total savings until we have experienced a full year with the new fixtures,” Richard Pucci, engineering coordinator for the City, said.
The City’s Engineering and Public Works Departments took on the replacement of lights as an energy saving policy for the residents of Prince Rupert.
“I think they do great work. They’re very fastidious about this stuff. It’s going to make an improvement throughout the whole city,” Prince Rupert Mayor Jack Mussallem said.
When the street lights are converted, the City will see a seven-to-eight-year return on the investment and reduced maintenance costs for the remainder of their lifespan. The City will also have the technology to dim lights in certain areas during certain times to achieve further cost savings.
The LED light will also make stargazing easier, as the lights are dark sky friendly, preventing artificial illumination of the night sky known as sky-glow. Prince Rupert Mayor Jack Mussallem said the lights are also more suited for overcast conditions.
“These LED lights should be better in the kind of weather we have in Prince Rupert,” Mussallem said.
While some residents have complained about the new lights, Mussallem said it’s something people will get used to in time.
“LED lights in the civic centre parking have not [made it more difficult to see] and if people are experiencing a difference — give workers time to get the lights in and set up and ensure they’re monitored and working properly,” he said.
Prince Rupert’s Lighten Up Electric and The Electrician are installing new lighting. Both companies are Power Smart Alliance approved by BC Hydro.
McBride Street, Second Avenue West, Park Avenue will not be getting new LED street lights installed as they fall under provincial regulation, however the City plans to request new lighting from the Ministry of Transportation.