75% of Flemish public lighting is now LED

Together with Flemish local authorities, Fluvius is accelerating the switchover to energy-efficient public lighting. Today, 75% of all street lighting in Flanders is lit with LED technology.

As grid manager, Fluvius manages public lighting in Flemish cities and municipalities. Thorough and structural cooperation with local authorities has greatly accelerated the switchover in recent years. This puts Flanders in the European leading group: both in terms of speed and scale, this transition is exceptional.

Lighting as a lever for energy transition

Public lighting is one of the largest public energy consumers. The switch to LED lighting is therefore a crucial lever within the Flemish climate and energy targets. By greatly reducing energy consumption and controlling lighting more intelligently, CO₂ emissions and energy costs are structurally reduced. The switch to LED and adapted firing programmes yields energy savings of more than 42%, good for about 181.45 GWh per year, comparable to the electricity consumption of about 52,000 households. The lower power demand also contributes to more efficient use of the electricity grid.

For Fluvius, therefore, waste management is more than just replacing lamps. It is an essential part of the Networks for Tomorrow project, with which Fluvius is preparing the grid infrastructure for a future with more renewable energy, electrification and digital control. In this, our public lighting network is a first, tangible application of a flexible and interactive energy network.

"The switch to LED is much more than a technical update. It is a strategic investment, together with our local authorities, in traffic-safe streets and a more climate-friendly future."Frank Vanbrabant, CEO Fluvius

From pioneering phase to structural acceleration

Fluvius started the switch to LED lighting in 2015. What started as a phased modernisation, grew in recent years into a structurally accelerated programme, supported by clear choices by local authorities and a standardised approach.

Fluvius carries out the changeover based on the plans and priorities of local authorities. Public lighting in cities and towns is tackled and renewed step by step and project by project. This consistent approach is bearing fruit.

This acceleration is visible in the pace of implementation. In the early years, 30,000 to 40,000 light points were replaced per year. Today, Fluvius replaces 160,000 per year, an average of 13,500 light points per month, spread all over Flanders.

Thanks to close cooperation, the 75% LED lighting milestone was reached in a short time , with a clear ambition: 100% LED by 2028, unless otherwise agreed with the local government.

"This milestone is only there thanks to the consistent choices of cities and municipalities. They rely on Fluvius to make their lighting fleets ready for the future, and together we continue to build towards 100% led."Walter Geerts, Public Lighting Product Manager Fluvius

Smart lighting boosts energy savings and quality of life

Together with municipalities, Fluvius is building a smartly managed and interactive lighting network. LED lighting uses up to 40% less energy than conventional lighting. Combined with dimming scenarios, these savings can increase even further.

Today, Fluvius already manages more than 700,000 interactive street lights in Flanders. Its capabilities include:

Thus, every street gets exactly the desired light level, with maximum energy efficiency. Concrete benefits for citizens include increased road safety, reduced light pollution through targeted lighting, lower CO₂ emissions and a higher quality of life in village centres and residential streets.

With our joint effort, Fluvius and the local authorities are continuing to build a future-proof, energy-efficient and smart lighting network, ready for tomorrow's challenges.

Lara Lammens

Corporate Woordvoerder, Fluvius

• pers@fluvius.be
• +32475298663
• +32475298663