ESB Contracts to pilot new concept in Public Lighting

Ireland is renowned worldwide for its scenery and regarded as one of the most unspoiled countries in Europe. Even though the country has over 400,000 street lights, one of its greatest assets is the quality of its night skies outside of the big cities which remain dark and don't suffer from the effects of light pollution. Night-time satellite pictures show Ireland to be one of the darkest areas in Europe. ESB Contracts is intent on protecting this valuable asset and plan to introduce a new concept in street lighting.

This new lighting is based on "White Light," which is closer to natural vision and one of the benefits for the environment will be reduced light levels while retaining the standards necessary for public safety and security. The concept is based on white light sources with >60% rendition of colours and recent research has identified that:

• Perceived brightness is higher under white light at low lighting levels
• Provides a better perceived safety and ambience
• Better orientation and quicker identification of surroundings

• Enhance the environment with better rendition of colour
• Protect the night skies by minimising upward stray light
• Save energy
• Reduce CO2 emissions
White Light will have its main application in residential areas, town and city centres. ESB Contracts has only recently installed a trial scheme of this new lighting in Naas, Co Kildare, to the delight of the local residents. A major scheme is planned for a village in west Wicklow. Also, a number of locations have been identified in Co. Donegal to pilot similar schemes of the new lighting and if successful could be extended over time to the rest of the county and possibly the rest of the country with significant implications for a better night-time environment, energy saving and protection of our dark skies.