ENERGY CONSUMPTION OF STREET LAMPS

ENERGY CONSUMPTION OF STREET LAMPS: 8.

Mr Baey Yam Keng asked the Minister for Transport (a) what is the annual energy consumption cost of street lamps for the last three years; (b) what are the measures to reduce their energy consumption; and (c) whether the Ministry will consider switching off alternate lights along certain stretches of roads, without compromising road safety, after midnight.

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport (Mr Teo Ser Luck) (for the Minister for Transport): Mr Speaker, Sir, since the liberalisation of the energy market in January 2003, LTA has been procuring electricity for street lighting through open tender. Due to the open tender system, LTA has been able to secure a lower off-peak rate for street lighting. The annual energy cost for street lighting for the past three fiscal years are $15.9 million, $20.3 million and $14.8 million for FY 2007, FY 2008 and FY 2009 respectively.

LTA has been progressively installing more energy efficient high-performance street lamps. These street lamps can be 40% more energy efficient than the older ones. Where they are effective, LTA has been using them for new street lamps as well as to replace older ones that are near the end of their lifespan and due for replacement. About 8,000 such street lamps have been installed, saving more than $1 million in energy a year. LTA is currently looking at accelerating the pace of replacing the older street lamps where it is sensible to do so.

Mr Speaker, Sir, street lights are currently programmed to switch on from

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dusk to dawn, to ensure that roads are bright enough for motorists' safety. They are also spaced at specific intervals so that our roads are lit up uniformly. Studies have found that switching off alternate street lights will result in alternating bright and dark bands that may affect drivers travelling at certain speeds. This would compromise road safety and hence the LTA is not in favour of switching off alternate street lights.

Nonetheless, LTA will continue to monitor the development of various technologies in this area and explore new and innovative ways to maximise energy efficiency.