T&TEC technicians replace High Pressure Sodium (HPS) streetlights with LEDs along Saddle Road, Maraval. (Image courtesy TTPS)

The Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) is continuing its initiative to replace High Pressure Sodium (HPS) streetlights with LEDs throughout the national system, with the most recent installations occurring on Saddle Road, Maraval.

According to an official release from the Ministry of Public Utilities, the upgrade will see the change-out of 145 HPS streetlights along the Saddle Road, starting at the Maraval Roundabout.

“A further 88 LEDs are slated for installation, which will bring the total number of LEDs installed to 233. Surveys are also ongoing in east, central, and south Trinidad, as well as Tobago. as the installation of LEDs expands further across the country,” T&TEC revealed in the release.

T&TEC technicians replace High Pressure Sodium (HPS) streetlights with LEDs near Silva Trace along Saddle Road, Maraval. (Image courtesy T&TEC)

The company says this is in keeping with government’s aim of improving energy efficiency and conservation nationwide.

“LED bulbs carry several benefits.  They have a longer life span—exceeding 10 years as compared to 5 years for the High-Pressure Sodium lights—and consume half of the electricity for the same level of lighting.  They also require less maintenance. The reduced electricity usage translates into a lower overall natural gas consumption for T&TEC and, by extension, the country,” T&TEC said.

“In domestic settings, LEDs are similarly beneficial for the consumer and the country, using up to 75 percent less energy when compared to incandescent bulbs and compact fluorescent lights (CFL),” it added.

T&TEC’s programme to phase out over 200,000 HPS bulbs started in 2016 with a pilot project around the Queen’s Park Savannah.  The company says since then, LEDs have been used to replace HPS bulbs and for new installations across the country, including in Aripo, Lopinot, Piarco, Rienzi-Kirton Highway, parts of the Solomon Hochoy Highway, Arima and Milford Road Tobago.

In addition, solar LED streetlights have been installed along the Manzanilla coastline and part of the Priority Bus Route.

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