New lights that are cheaper and greener

ABU DHABI // More than 6,000 environmentally sustainable outdoor lights have been installed in three different projects across the emirate in the past year.

They will help reduce the lighting cost by 40 per cent during the next 20 years and use 60 per cent less energy compared with traditional lamps.

The lights have been installed in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region on streets, bridges, tunnels, pedestrian areas, public squares and parks.

The environmentally friendly lights will also contribute to the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by about 75 per cent and initially minimise maintenance work by 40 per cent and by 80 per cent in the years ahead.

A gradual dimming of lights by up to 50 per cent will increase the anticipated benefits, said Abdullah Al Shamsi, the acting executive director of infrastructure and municipal assets sector at Abu Dhabi Municipality.

The municipality is undertaking various initiatives to promote sustainability.

Last week, in cooperation with the Centre for Waste Management, the municipality embarked on a pilot project to use gravel recycled from demolition and construction waste in road projects.

"Over the next few months, the municipality will also implement a new initiative for improving the performance of the soil in road paving," Mr Al Shamsi said.

In a workshop, officials from different municipalities of the emirate also discussed design codes, and modifying existing public lighting in a way that embraces energy-saving technology.

The Administrative Decision No (39) for 2012 regarding the implementation of the Public Lighting Strategy of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, was issued by the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipal Affairs.

It set detailed standards and specifications to be applied in the implementation of the lighting strategy at the level of the three municipalities in terms of types of lighting, poles, shapes of lighting, heights of lighting poles, nature of lighting, gradual dimming applications and lighting sources.

The decision also clarified the minimum light intensity at levels 1 and 2, rates of regular distribution, and use on roads depending on classification.

anwar@thenational.ae