Arnhem, The Netherlands – The Municipality of Arnhem is to install Philips LED lighting on a large scale, in line with its ambitions in the area of sustainability. 2,300 street lights on the city's major roads are to be fitted with dimmable LED lamps. This measure will achieve energy savings of some 47%, equivalent to 500,000 kWh a year. The investment will be recouped through the reduced costs of energy consumption, maintenance and lamp replacement. The project will take four years and was recently started in Arnhem South around Groningensingel.

The municipality is committed to sustainable LED innovations with a higher light quality for the people of Arnhem. Responsible Municipal Executive councilor Margreet Van Gastel says: 'Arnhem is staking a great deal on energy savings. With the 'Energy Made in [Arnhem]' program we are now working with more than 80 organizations to achieve a sustainable future for our city. By fitting our street lighting with LED lamps, Arnhem aims to become the shining example as regards energy savings in public spaces.'

'Public lighting accounts for an average of 40% of the energy bills of Dutch towns and cities. So any savings made in this area have a major impact on a city's budget,' says Floriaan Tasche, Commercial Director Public Lighting. 'Arnhem has for centuries been known as the green city on the Rhine. Philips is proud that the municipality is carrying on this tradition and investing in the future with sustainable LED lamps.'

Dimmable light levels on roads

Arnhem is replacing the conventional lamps in the street lights by dimmable LED lamps in much of the public lighting on roads. After Groningensingel all the street lights on through roads and the connecting roads will gradually be fitted with LED lighting over a period of around four years.

The amount of light needed on a given stretch of road depends on the traffic situation and the time of night. The Municipality of Arnhem complies with the directives laid down by the Dutch Illumination Foundation (NSVV). If there is little traffic on major roads at night, the lighting can be dimmed without compromising safety.

Investing in a green future

The investment costs are expected to be recouped through the reduced costs of energy consumption, maintenance and lamp replacement. LED lamps last four times as long as conventional lamps and so do not have to be replaced as often.

LED innovations are expected to become even more energy-efficient in the future. Thanks to Philips' interchangeable modules, the Municipality of Arnhem will also benefit from this, and additional energy savings of around 200,000 kWh are expected in the future.

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