SSE Airtricity and Cork City Council light up Leeside

SSE Airtricity Utility Solutions and Cork City Council have served up a bundle of energy savings and brighter lighting on the Leeside just-in-time for Christmas with the installation of new energy efficient LED lighting along Patrick’s Street and Grand Parade in Cork city centre.

The greener energy project was delivered by SSE Airtricity Utility Solutions as part of Cork City Council’s ongoing Streetlight LED Retrofit Scheme. In total, SSE Airtricity designed LED lighting upgrades to 84 public lighting columns and electrical equipment across Cork’s Patrick’s Street and Grand Parade. The traditional 150w lamps on Patrick’s Street were replaced with 36w LED lamps that have a 50,000-hour life expectancy and deliver energy use reductions of 76% as well as an improved public lighting experience.

SSE Airtricity Utility Solutions worked closely with the City Council, traders and members of the public to minimise disruption to the day-to-day activities in the city while the works were being carried out. The scheme has been completed just-in-time for seasonal shoppers hitting the streets ahead of Christmas.

The latest upgrade is part of Cork City Council’s drive to improve lighting levels in the city and reduce energy costs. Cork City Council has so far completed LED lighting upgrades to 15% of its 14,500-unit public lighting inventory, with an average energy saving of 40-50% per lantern.

Patrick Rooney, Head of Operations at SSE Airtricity Utility Solutions, said:

“As Cork City Council’s Public Lighting partner, we are delighted to have to been able to deliver a lighting solution that helps the Council reduce their energy use and costs, while improving the experience of people working in and visiting the city.

“The project included a full electrical upgrade of cabling and fuse units, as well as upgrading over 400 LED lights. These measures will produce energy savings of 76% and will improve road safety in the area which will make visiting Cork City a more enjoyable experience for everyone.”

Aidan Mahony, Executive Engineer of Cork City Council said:

“The recent upgrading of public lighting forms part of Cork City Council’s ambitious programme to improve the lighting in our City Centre, major roads, and residential areas. Feedback from residents and business owners has been positive so far, with many saying how much better the quality of light is and how much safer they feel. People have also praised the work of our contractors, SSE Airtricity Utility Solutions, who have done their utmost to keep disruption to a minimum and work safely in this challenging environment.”