The Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) has embarked on the Induction Lamps Street Light Project in a bid to conserve energy and cost while addressing environmental concerns.
According to a press release from the GEA, “37 high pressure sodium vapour (HPSV) streetlamps (rated at 250 watts each)” were replaced “with 37 energy efficient induction lamps rated at 120 watts each with one timer control relay rated at 25 ampere to switch lamps on at nights and off during the day.”
The activity which was led by Energy Engineer, Leon DeSouza and his team, took place June 15 -19 on the Timerhi Highway between Bounty Farm and the Timerhi Police Outpost.
Ultimately, GEA said, “the project aims to demonstrate the suitability, benefits and savings associated with induction street lamps.” Further, “this venture will afford the Street Light Division, the GEA and stakeholders to gain a deeper understanding of the benefits and implication of yet another efficient lighting technology.”
Based on studies conducted by the GEA, the release said, “through the use of Induction street lamps (and the use of light emitting diode [LED] lamps), it is possible to significantly reduce costs associated with the provision of street lighting.” Currently, government operates about 6,000 HPSV street lamps for highway lighting which accrue a yearly operational cost of approximately $365.7 million, while consuming 6,570,000 kWh of energy.
Of great significance, the release said, is the technology employed by induction lights which allows the use of “electromagnetic energy in a non-destructive process to produce efficient lighting” and in so doing, “induction lights can last up to 100,000 hours.” This translates to more than 11 years in continuous 24/7 operation, and 25 years if operated 10 hours a day. The implementation cost to date, GEA said, is $2,102,064 with an estimated simple payback of about 1.09 years.
There are several other advantages associated with the use of the induction lights the GEA said, such as virtually maintenance-free operation, excellent colour rendering index (CRI)-80+ and in some cases 90+, instant strike and restrike operation, no flickering, strobing or noise among others.
The GEA said it will continue to monitor, research and record the performance of the induction lamps. The information obtained from data gathering, and experience gained from the installation process, will be used to guide decisions with regard to street lighting, it added.
The release quoted GEA’s CEO Mahender Sharma as saying that the information would allow GEA “to determine which of the two technologies is best suited for use in Guyana.”
Meanwhile, the GEA has issued a call to all municipalities, neighbourhood democratic councils and civic groups to “observe this pilot as street lighting falls within the mandate of the ‘owner’ of the street.” Given this, the release said, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure is responsible for any lighting of the national roads whilst local government organs are responsible for any of the local roads and streets.
Members of the public desirous of giving feedback can do so via telephone number 226-0394/Ext 214.
