Outdoor lighting and the environment

Pro-Environment Outdoor Lighting Project

Jyväskylä has launched the second phase of Pro-Environment Outdoor Lighting Project, which attempts to reach at least nine and up to 20 percent energy saving in urban lighting. The first phase was executed in 1998-2002, with a ten percent energy saving of the city’s total energy consumption of outdoor lighting.

The objective of the project is to save energy by updating light fitting technique as well as the guidance and control systems of lighting. Energy is saved with the precision guidance of lighting and by switching to less energy-hungry low-power lamps and bulbs.

The city also saves the environment as modern bulbs contain less or no mercury at all. Additionally, a feeling of security and habitability are increased due to better non-glaring lighting. Jyväskylä is a forerunner also in developing pro-environment lighting systems.

Outdoor lighting in the city

Any lighting system naturally causes expenses. The construction of outdoor lighting in a city requires economical energy thinking.

Every year the city spends about 700,000 Euros for constructing new street lighting. Additionally, investments are made for separate lighting installations, like illuminating bridges and facades. The maintenance and energy expenses of the lighting take approximately four million Euros per year.

Energy saving in outdoor lighting

There are almost 30,000 outdoor lighting points on the streets and parks of Jyväskylä and they are lit for about 3,900 hours per year. Illuminating the city consumes a total of 14,736 MWh per year, which equals annual energy consumption of 600 detached houses.

The city of Jyväskylä has signed the energy efficiency agreement for municipalities. The agreement aims to achieve nine percent energy savings by 2016.

The search for new energy-efficient methods has become an important issue also in urban lighting.