Delhi's Streetlighting Overhaul Aims to Slash Energy Costs by ₹25 Crore Annually

The Delhi government is undertaking a significant initiative to convert nearly 93,000 streetlights along major roads into smart LED systems, which is projected to reduce the city's electricity usage by approximately 3.5 crore units per year.

Earlier this month, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta emphasized the complete overhaul of existing streetlights to more efficient LED systems. This change is expected to bring down the current power consumption of 93,677 streetlights from around 23,283 kilowatt to approximately 17,687 kilowatt, leading to annual savings of nearly ₹25 crore in electricity costs.

The project's estimations highlight a substantial decrease in power expenses over the next five years, with the Public Works Department (PWD) tasked with establishing a comprehensive monitoring mechanism. This will track the decline in electricity consumption from about 10 crore units per year to roughly 6.5 crore units annually.

The streetlighting project will include the establishment of a control and command center at the PWD headquarters to oversee real-time streetlight operations. This setup features large display computers and necessary software, allowing for centralized management. Additional facets of the project include replacing all high-pressure sodium vapor lights and outdated LED fixtures with smart LEDs and installing 5,000 extra poles to meet future needs.

The transformation, projected to cost around ₹473.24 crore, will be executed in phases, revitalizing roads managed by the PWD across Delhi's extensive 1,400-kilometer road network.

(With inputs from agencies.)