Lincolnshire County Council is to reuse its street lighting columns and lanterns in a retrofit programme that’s using LED gear trays to upgrade street lights from high pressure sodium light sources.
The project is set to reduce energy use by 65 per cent.
The local authority says it chose to retrofit existing fittings as it reduces waste, lowers costs and maximises long-term sustainability.
TRT designed and supplied 5,400 bespoke retrofit kits, upgrading lantern models including Arc 80, Iridium, Evolo 2, Sapphire 1 and Sapphire 2. Each retrofit tray was developed and tested at TRT’s LIA-accredited laboratory to ensure compliance with lighting performance, uniformity, and thermal standards.
The retrofit solution allows existing lantern housings to remain in service for a further 10 to 20 years, significantly reducing embodied carbon and capital expenditure.
Installation has also been streamlined, with each retrofit completed in under ten minutes, minimising disruption to road users and local communities.
To date, the retrofit programme, delivered in collaboration with Balfour Beatty, has already achieved more than 65 per cent reduction in energy consumption compared with a 2016 baseline, through the introduction of LED technology, dimming and part-night operation.
Further measurable benefits include a 65 per cent reduction in energy use and associated CO₂ emissions, a circular economy approach by reusing lantern bodies, reduced maintenance, extended product lifecycle and reliable performance backed by a five-year warranty
Nathan Poundall IEng MILP BEng, principal engineer – street lighting at Lincolnshire County Council, told the Circular Lighting Report: ‘By reusing existing lantern bodies and introducing advanced LED retrofit technology, we are cutting energy use by over 65 per cent while avoiding unnecessary waste. ‘This project is a clear example of how innovation and partnership can help us reduce carbon emissions, save money, and extend the life of our assets.’
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