Lighting switch saves 11,000

Sunday Tasmanian
11 September 2011, Page: 62

Kingborough Council will soon save $11,000 a year on its power bill, simply by changing to LED lighting. Council recently announced the energy efficiency agreement with Low Carbon Australia that will see a 75% reduction in the civic centre and chambers lighting costs. The project involves replacing 648 technology fluorescent tubes with about 420 energy efficient LED tubes. The life of the LED tubes are expected to be 20 years compared with only four years for the old ones.

The installation of the LED lighting, plus the removal of unnecessary lights, will result in a 75% reduction in power for lighting and Council anticipates saving in excess of $11,000 per annum on their power bill, based on current power costs. Kingborough Mayor Dr Graham Bury said he supported Council's steps to reduce energy consumption and costs, and its carbon footprint.

"This project is one of several activities that council has committed to undertake to mitigate climate change and reduce council's energy consumption", Cr Bury said. "Through examining operations and seeking efficiency measures, Kingborough can be a best practice example to other councils or local businesses as to how simple it is to undertake energy efficiency measures".

Low Carbon Australia works with business and public sector organisations to develop, design and deliver energy efficiency solutions as well as provide the finance. Low Carbon Australia chief executive Meg McDonald said the project was a very important means of demonstrating to Australian local governments and businesses how to overcome barriers to implementing energy efficiency measures. "Low Carbon Australia's business methodology allows local governments and businesses to avoid lost energy saving opportunities through immediate upfront financial support.

I encourage local government and business in Tasmania to embrace innovative energy efficiency financing opportunities", he said. Assuming the project will run for 20 years, Low Carbon Australia forecasts $391,000 will be saved in total on the basis of annual energy savings at current prices plus the compound savings with energy price increase. Kingborough Council joins Wagga Wagga City Council as the second local government to receive finance from Low Carbon Australia.