BRIDGETOWN, Barbados — The Board of Directors of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has approved funding of US$25 million to replace existing street lights in Jamaica with high efficiency light-emitting diode (LED) lamps.

According to a release from the CDB, the funds are being provided to the Jamaica Public Service (JPS), and will facilitate the replacement of approximately 105,000 high pressure sodium and mercury vapour streetlights.

“Jamaica is on track to achieve its renewable energy target of 30 per cent by 2030. However, to do it, the country must reduce its expenditure on imported petroleum products. In 2016, spending on street lighting was US$20 million per year,” the release stated.

“Street lights are a critical national service, as they facilitate personal safety, as well as the safe operation of the transportation sector. However, street lights in Jamaica are the second largest consumer of electricity, representing 15 per cent of total public sector energy consumption,” said Daniel Best, Director of Projects, CDB.

He added that this project is expected to reduce electricity consumption for street lights by approximately 65 per cent annually. In addition, it is expected that it will significantly contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in Jamaica.

The lamps in existing street lights have an approximate lifespan of six years, and a failure rate of 20 per cent per year.

JPS will provide counterpart financing to complete the project, which is scheduled for completion over a period of 2.5 years.