Sharjah is ticking all the boxes that comprise energy reduction and cost savings, enabling the emirate to consolidate its mission as the City of Conservation with its new street-lighting project. In a phased plan that will see over 100,000 light points addressed over the next five years, the Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (Sewa) is replacing conventional yellow sodium street lights with energy-efficient LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) to reduce electricity consumption, maintenance costs and environmental impact.
Stadiums and buildings in urban areas are also being fitted with LEDs, adding to the overall impact of the change. In Kalba, for example, cost and energy savings of 35 per cent have already been achieved by this switch, experts at the Sharjah Energy Meet said last week.
Environmental pay-off aside, the ground benefits of LEDs are far superior as compared to sodium lights. LEDs don’t leave dark patches on the road as the light is projected more evenly, leading to better visibility. This means better driving experiences and fewer accidents. Add to it the cost and energy savings and this initiative by Sharjah is win-win all the way.
