POINT EDWARD – Most streetlights in the village will be replaced this year with LED bulbs that burn brighter and cost less to maintain.
“We’ve got a lot of old high pressure sodium lights out there that need replacing,” says Mayor Larry MacKenzie. “And we got a deal on the LED that will get a return on our investment in eight years.”
Point Edward has 625 streetlights, including nearly 100 that are decorative and can’t be replaced with LED (Light-Emitting Diode) lighting.
But the others will be refitted this year for a total cost of $246,602.
MacKenzie said village council made its decision based on special pricing leveraged through Bluewater Power for all its municipal shareholders.
Currently, Point Edward spends approximately $16,500 annually to maintain its streetlights and another $78,000 in energy costs.
Once installed, the projected cost to maintain the LED lights is less than half at $7,500, with another $45,000 in energy costs, for a total savings per year of $42,000.