The major upgrade of Torbay’s streetlights to cut energy bills and carbon output is making good progress. 

A new system is being installed allowing engineers to manage the lights more efficiently. 

Engineers will see real-time data from the lights and will be able to better control, monitor and maintain the network. 

This along with new energy-efficient LED lights will mean big savings in energy use, cutting costs and carbon emissions. 

Contractors have installed a dozen base stations as part of the Telensa Central Management System (CMS). 

The units can send and receive data using a telecell being fitted to each light and are controlled from a central point. 

Work started in March and by August three-quarters of the almost 15,000 highways lights in Torbay have been upgraded with the kit. 

The rollout has been done stages in starting in Torquay, then Brixham and Paignton. 

During the summer more than 3,400 older lights are also being fitted with new energy-efficient LED units. 

Others will be upgraded in an ongoing maintenance programme as they reach end-of-life to further improve energy efficiency across the network. 

The upgrade project is currently ahead of schedule and well within the planned timescale for the new system going live in November. 

Engineers in the Highways team at our wholly-owned services company SWISCo are now working to prepare for switch-on. 

The upgrade will result in significant savings on the annual energy bill and cut carbon emissions by more than 200 tonnes every year.  

Streetlighting is the largest part of the Council's energy bill. So reducing the amount of electricity used is an important part of our Climate Change Action Plan. 

Cllr Chris Lewis, Deputy Leader of Torbay Council and Cabinet Lead for Climate Change, said: "Our contractors have been working hard to fit the new equipment to every streetlight across the Bay and I thank everyone for their patience during any temporary disruption that these works may cause. 

"The result will be a much-improved highways lighting network ready for winter, achieving significant cuts in both our energy bill and carbon emissions.

"The roll-out of the new system is currently ahead of schedule, and I'm grateful to everyone who has helped to get us to this point. 

"It will give us increased flexibility to make sure we are providing the right levels of lighting across Torbay. This will be better for the environment and biodiversity, as well as helping tackle anti-social behaviour by ensuring appropriate lighting at all times." 

 The Telensa system will enable: 

• Remote monitoring and diagnostics, reducing inspection costs and improving fault-finding, giving better response times. 
• Manual control of light levels, supporting tailored responses for events, maintenance, or emergencies. 
• Intelligent dimming regimes, lowering energy consumption at times of low footfall whilst maintaining an acceptable level of street-lighting. 
• Significant carbon savings, contributing to Torbay’s environmental and carbon reduction commitments 
• Safer streets, through responsive lighting management that balances efficiency with public wellbeing. 

Other projects gong ahead under the Climate Change Action Plan will see energy efficiency upgrades including solar panels fitted at 10 of our buildings, including six schools.

Recent schemes by us and partners include: 

• Decarbonisation of Paignton Library with new heat pumps.
• Funding for the Council’s fleet of electric vehicles.
• Improving procurement and commissioning to cover carbon and sustainability accounting from the start.
• A brand-new fleet of electric buses for Torbay.
• Energy efficiency measures at Torbay Leisure Centre including solar panels and air-source heat pumps.  
• Heat pumps at the Arid House at Torre Abbey.  
• Planting 2,000 new trees across the Bay through Forestry Commission grants. These have created long-term woodland areas, helping to support biodiversity and store carbon. 

Find out more about our Climate Change Action Plan: https://www.torbay.gov.uk/council/climate-change/torbay-council-climate-change-action-plan/