Belgium/Genappe and other municipalities want to reintroduce public lighting at night, but with LED bulbs

The municipal college of Braine-l'Alleud will be meeting representatives of energy operator ORES this Monday afternoon. The associated operator will present a report on night-time public lighting. The energy crisis and the switch-off of lights at night were mainly planned for late 2022-early 2023. But today, the energy context has changed. The use of LED technology has changed the situation. The Brainoise majority would like to reinstate night lighting with LEDs, which consume less energy and are less disruptive to wildlife. Other communes, such as Genappe, are gradually planning to follow suit.

In Genappe, 60% of luminaires have already been renovated and fitted with LEDs, which consume less energy. A reasonable energy cost to restore safe lighting comfort, without disturbing animals too much: that's what the population would expect from a measure valid all night long, as mayor Gérard Couronné asserts. "It's going to cost us less than before. Because in four years' time, we'll only have LEDs. This energy-saving system automatically reduces light intensity at a certain time ("dimming"). At night, the intensity is reduced by 50%. Obviously, this means less light, but that's not a problem because it's night time". The mayor goes on to explain that this lighting, even if reduced, will enable citizens to regain a sense of security. "Police statistics have not shown an increase in thefts during lights-out at the time of the energy crisis. But the feeling of insecurity is heightened in the dark. In addition, the LED lighting, which is less powerful, won't disturb wildlife too much".

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The commune of Genappe is financing the LED lighting installed by energy operator ORES. This 10-year operation will cost 100,000 euros a year.

Braine-l'Alleud too

In Braine-l'Alleud, 70% of lighting fixtures will be fitted with LEDs by the end of the year. In this case, the college would like to see a gradual resumption of night lighting. According to Geoffroy Matagne, alderman for works, "the ambition is to restore night lighting, initially on weekend nights. But we're currently studying the dossier to find a compromise between the cost of operations and the comfort of users. We'll know more on Monday afternoon thanks to the ORES report."
But reconnecting the plug takes time and technical skill. "In Braine-l'Alleud, no fewer than 270 cabins need to be rewired. We don't have a simple ON/OFF button to press. It's more complicated than that". And as some of the cabins supply power to streets located in two neighboring communes, discussions should also follow, with Waterloo and Braine-le-Château in this case.

It should be noted that, at this stage, most of the Walloon Brabant communes served by ORES would like to switch their street lighting back on with LEDs, 7 nights a week, but only in the evenings and mornings. This is an intermediate formula between the old configuration and total extinction. It would still allow the lights to remain switched off in the middle of the night, from midnight to 5 a.m., a period that is generally quieter. It should also be remembered that some sites, such as accident-prone junctions, can also retain useful and safe lighting.

Source: www.rtbf.be/