A pilot programme to test energy efficient LED streetlights has been formally launched.

Public Works Minister Trevor Moniz told the House of Assembly on Friday that a total of 14 streetlights on Trimingham Road will have have their 150-watt HPS fixtures replaced with 82-watt LED luminaries, which are hoped to improve street lighting while reducing energy and maintanence costs.

The pilot programme is scheduled to continue until January 31, with members of the public invited to provide feedback through an online survey.

“This area was chosen because it is one of the busiest roadways on the island on a daily basis,” Mr Moniz said. “If the pilot is successful, we anticipate rolling out LED street lights Island-wide over a two-year period.

“Full conversion of the approximate 4,000 public street lights in Bermuda to LED luminaries promises a number of benefits, starting with improved lighting levels. In addition, because LED luminaries use less energy than HPS fixtures, the change would result in approximately 50 percent less greenhouse gas emissions and energy costs reduced by approximately 50 percent.

“Maintenance costs would also be reduced, as LED luminaries have an average 20-year lifespan, as opposed to the average 6-year lifespan of High Pressure Sodium (HPS) fixtures.”

The pilot programme is a joint effort between Government and Belco, who produced a winning bid for the contract to provide routine street light services.

Mr Moniz noted that Belco previously ran its own pilot programme at its Serpentine Road headquarters, which resulted in 60 percent energy savings and eight times better lighting.

Asked by Deputy Oppositon Leader Derrick Burgess if the previous administration had already operated an LED streetlight pilot programme, Mr Moniz responded that there had been difficultued due to “substandard” LED lights, and noted that LED lights had previously been installed at Global House, but had to be removed at considerable expense because they were substandard.

Mr Moniz agreed to provide the House with information about the previous initiatives.

And when questioned by PLP MP Michael Weeks about Belco being awarded the streetlight mainanence contract, Mr Moniz said he would be willing provide information about the unsuccessful bids.

Belco’s Chief Operating Officer Denton Williams said the company was pleased to be working with Government on the LED initiative and was confident it would prove successful.

“We are committed to seeing the project through for the Island with respect to environmental and cost benefits,” he said. “We will back our commitment with a ten-year manufacturer’s warranty, as well as bringing to bear our extensive project management and infrastructure maintenance and upgrade experience.

“This pilot will demonstrate the effectiveness of true partnership to achieve substantive and sustainable steps forward in energy and infrastructure development.”