Approximately 40% of the public lighting network of 25,000 lanterns including those in the Douglas area have now been fitted with LED lanterns according to Independent Cllr Kieran McCarthy.

In 2022 alone Cork City Council has upgraded 2,500 lanterns (approx. 10%) from old “SON/SOX” lanterns to LED. In addition, a dimming profile, where lanterns are dimmed to 75% output from midnight onwards, in also in operation on some street lights.

A combination of the above interventions has resulted in a reduction of the energy used powering public lighting in the City. In relation to Energy Reduction, Cork City Council have identified the need to change public lighting lanterns to LEDs to help reduce the energy consumption related to the provision of this service.

Cllr McCarthy noted: “As part of the Council’s tendered public lighting annual maintenance contract works, a small percentage of lights are converted to LED annually. The Public Lighting Department of the Operations Directorate is preparing further proposals in terms of a Public Lighting Strategy to tackle legacy electrical issues, old public lighting column issues and the replacement of the remaining old SON/SOX lanterns and converting them to LED. The delivery of this strategy will be subject to securing the required funding for this replacement project”.