Street lighting in seven cities

Image: KIK

By autumn 2015, led by the EIC, seven Estonian cities received new street lighting based on LED technology, which is much more energy- and environmentally efficient than the previous solution.

The street lighting systems in Haapsalu, Keila, Kuressaare, Jõhvi, Paide, Valga, and Võru were almost completely reconstructed.

In total, nearly 12,000 energy-efficient LED luminaires were installed, and only luminaires less than 5 years old were not replaced. In addition, all the cities received smart control systems that help to monitor and control lighting according to predefined profiles, light reflection sensors and twilight switches.

As a result of the project, night-time street lighting in cities will be visually better and more uniform. It will also be safer to move around now that there is additional lighting above pedestrian crossings. Thanks to better directional outdoor lighting, there is a noticeable reduction in light pollution.

The role of the EIC

The street lighting project in the seven cities was exceptionally extensive for the EIC, as in addition to the usual grant mediation and monitoring, the EIC organised all the procurements on behalf of the recipients and was responsible for project management of the programme. In total, the EIC organised 13 procurements, with 12 of these being international.

Cost

The total cost of the street lighting project amounted to EUR 18 million. The majority of the project cost, EUR 16.2 million, was intermediated by the EIC through the Green Investment Scheme, i.e., the proceeds from the sale of allowances to Austria. The remaining one tenth, or EUR 1.8 million, was paid by the cities as their own contribution.

With whom?

The EIC started preparing the urban street lighting programme in 2012 together with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications and the Ministry of the Environment.