Fingal completes Ireland's largest LED switch across its public lighting network

The successful completion of Ireland's most extensive public lighting replacement project to date has taken place, as Fingal County Council installed its last two energy-saving LEDs across its network of roads, residential areas and public spaces.

The final milestone was reached by the council along the picturesque Coast Road in Malahide and means there have now been 35,315 environmentally friendly LEDs installed to replace their energy-guzzling counterparts throughout the county. With this accomplishment, Fingal has confirmed its commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency.

This large endeavour, which cost around €8 million, marks a significant step forward in Fingal’s mission to reduce its carbon footprint and promote eco-friendly practices. The switch to LED technology for public lighting not only enhances illumination, but also promises substantial energy savings and environmental benefits for generations to come.

Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Adrian Henchy, was on hand as the council completed the widespread replacement project, stating: "This is a pivotal moment in Fingal's journey toward a more sustainable future. The installation of LEDs across all our network signifies our unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and energy efficiency. Together, we are paving the way for a brighter, greener tomorrow."

Echoing the Mayor's sentiments, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly said: "The completion of this LED replacement project underscores Fingal’s proactive approach to reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable practices. By embracing innovative solutions like LED lighting, we are not only reducing energy consumption but also setting an example for other local authorities to follow.” 

The transition to LEDs has already reduced street lighting energy consumption by over 50%, as well as delivering tonnes of carbon savings. The LED lights are also easier to maintain, particularly as they are expected to last significantly longer – those installed in Fingal are specified to have a design life of 20 years, or 80,000 hours minimum.

David Storey, Fingal’s Director of Environment & Climate Change, said: “This milestone reinforces our commitment to creating a more resilient and environmentally conscious county for generations to come. We are investing in new technology not only to save money and enhance our infrastructure for future readiness, but also to help achieve our climate change targets and significantly reduce our environmental impact.”

The neutral white light emitted by LEDs also enhances the visibility of road markings and signs, meaning the council is not only saving money and energy, thereby increasing safety and visibility in Fingal’s communities and public spaces. 

Mary T Daly, Director of Operations at Fingal said: “Being able to deliver such a large-scale switching programme like this is of enormous benefit to residents across the county. We began this project back in 2016 with our teams replacing lights along hundreds of roads, in residential areas and through our parks. To install over 35,000 LEDs in that period has been a huge project to undertake, and it is thanks to the public lighting team that Fingal is leading the way across the whole of Ireland.”