The COP21 indeed gives them an opportunity to put a number of things into perspective: public lighting represents 48% of a municipality’s electricity consumption on average and covers about 37% of its budget (source Ademe).
In short, electricity savings are an integral part of the climate debate, and it is urgent to modernize installations to make them less energy-consuming.
An Ipsos survey supports this message: firstly, 91% consider public lighting important, with 56% finding it “very important” for enhancing safety conditions in the evening and at night.
If we look back in history, this perception is not new: the deployment of public lanterns is an innovation attributed to Louis XIV to ensure the safety of the dark alleys of Paris.
Returning to the present, the figures are precise: nearly 75% of the equipment is obsolete as it was installed more than 25 years ago. The electricity consumption and maintenance work for these tools cost around one billion euros.
However, if we massively develop the use of LED solutions, we could reduce this bill by about two-thirds, reaching an annual bill – consumption and maintenance – of 300 million.
For example, LED Christmas lights consume approximately 95% less energy than traditional filament bulbs.
So, ladies and gentlemen, mayors… to work!
