NPU’s new LED streetlights installed at four demonstration locations

Norwich Public Utilities (NPU) has installed 19 streetlights at four demonstration locations as its city-wide LED streetlight conversion project moves forward. Following an audit of all 5,000+ public and private streetlights in the city earlier this spring, NPU will be installing new, high efficiency streetlights across Norwich this summer.

“As this important project moves forward, we want the public to get a sense of the improved lighting that will be provided by the new streetlights,” said John Bilda, General Manager of NPU. “Modernizing our streetlights is the right thing to do in terms of public safety, financial responsibility and helping the environment.”

Light Emitting Diode (LED) streetlights are a significant upgrade from the traditional High Pressure Sodium (HSP) streetlights for NPU customers and will provide a number of benefits, including:

  • Reduced energy consumption, which will result in energy savings for the City of Norwich;
  • Reduced maintenance, as LED streetlights have a lifespan of up to ten years; and
  • Better visible light for residents, increasing public safety in Norwich.

Last week, LED streetlights were installed at the following locations:

  • Downtown, on the block of Franklin, Bath, Chestnut and Willow Streets.
  • Along West Main Street, between Mt. Pleasant Street and Beckwith Street
  • The neighborhood around Chery Hill Road and Sherwood Lane
  • In East Great Plains, in the neighborhood of County Fair Road, Nordon Avenue and Jordon Drive.

To replace each of the existing 5,000 streetlights in Norwich (roughly 4,200 public, 800 private), NPU is finalizing the process of acquiring all of the material and equipment needed for this project. Once this phase is completed, installation will begin and last about eight weeks.

Following a comprehensive Request for Proposal (RFP) process, NPU contracted with Tanko Lighting to complete the project. Tanko is a nationally recognized leader in the lighting industry and has completed a number of identical projects in Connecticut and the region, including Jewett City, Groton, East Lyme, and New London.

The LED streetlight conversion project has a budget of $1.8 million and will not impact NPU electric rates. The preliminary cost savings for the City of Norwich are estimated to be $100,000 a year.