Seeing Abu Dhabi streets in a new light from next year

Municipality announces new energy saving drive to replace all 43,000 street lamps by 2019

Traditional street lights, known for their yellowish hue, will be relaunched with bright white LED lights across Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi Municipality

You’ll be seeing Abu Dhabi in a new light next year, as the municipality begins an ambitious programme to replace every street lamp in the city.

Energy saving LED lights will be fitted across the city, starting in the first quarter of 2018, and with the aim to replace every convention light by the middle of 2019.

The new LED lights reduce energy consumption, cutting back on carbon emissions that contribute to climate changes.

They also need less maintenance, meaning a further saving for the city. The municipality estimates that they should last ten years before replacement.

Abu Dhabi City Municipality has worked with consultants, Parsons, the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council, and representatives of private suppliers and contractors.

The project is seen as partnership between the private and public sector and will be released for tendering later this year. It estimates around 43,000 lights will need to be changed.

The new system of lights will also be more sophisticated, allowing for different intensity using dimming switches and a smart control system.

Details were revealed at an introductory workshop this month that looked into the technical requirements of the new lighting project and its expected benefits for the Municipality.

Sultan Al Muhairi, a spokesperson for the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council, said his organisation was "keen on cooperating with all concerned parties in public and private sectors in this national project to ensure that the lighting systems in use conform to the best standards and practices of quality and safety".

Using LED lights would ensure the safety, quality and efficiency of power consumption in municipal lighting systems, he added.