The Towns of Black Diamond and Turner Valley have signed an agreement with Fortis Alberta to convert their street lights to energy-efficient LED heads - an initiative that will save taxpayers thousands of dollars annually in the long run.
The conversion of about 250 street lights in Black Diamond is expected to save around $1,278 annually and the approximately 145 lights in Turner Valley will save about $740 per year until the cost of installation and materials is paid for.
A municipal multiplier will be applied to the Towns’ Fortis bills to pay for the conversion and, once recovered, the annual savings are expected to swell to around $5,750 for Black Diamond and $3,335 for Turner Valley.
“It’s a significant savings to the community,” said Black Diamond Mayor Glen Fagan. “We are going to save $5.11 per light per year until they recover the cost of the conversion. Once they cover the cost of the conversion it’s $23 plus a light per year – a pretty significant savings. It’s quite the project and a big savings for the community.”
Fagan said the energy savings in Black Diamond is expected to be almost 120,000 kilowatt hours per year – the equivalent of operating 15 homes.
He said some Black Diamond neighbourhoods and intersections already have LED street lighting, which he describes as being more direct than the older heads.
“I took a look at it and was quite surprised that the light itself is not harsh,” he said. “It doesn’t cast shadows and it’s a nicer, cleaner light. You are getting the light directed where it’s supposed to go.”
Once the conversion is complete in Turner Valley, the LED heads are estimated to save 53,760 kilowatt hours in energy annually, the amount of energy used to power seven homes.
“From an environmental point of view and savings point of view it’s a big plus for us,” said Barry Williamson, Turner Valley chief administrative officer. “There is a significant savings, but the savings is significantly reduced because of the rider to pay for the capital. The actual dollar savings won’t be realized until year three or four of this program.”
Williamson expects the street lights will be replaced sometime in late 2017.
“It’s a huge greenhouse gas savings for us,” he said. “It really lines up with our environmental stewardship strategy. It’s also very much aligned with the dark sky friendly approach that we want to take as well.”
