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On January 29, 2025, the Talsi Municipality launched the Environmental Investment Fund project “Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Public Street Lighting Infrastructure of Talsi Municipality” (No. EKII-7/16). As part of this project, 1,170 streetlights were replaced with new, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly lighting fixtures featuring autonomous brightness control. The project has been successfully completed and is already delivering significant savings and positive environmental impacts.

Project Goals and Implementation
The project aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by modernizing the lighting infrastructure in Dundaga, Talsi, Virbi, and Valdemārpils. A total of 1,170 traditional sodium lamps were replaced with energy-efficient LED fixtures, ensuring an annual electricity saving of 630.6 MWh.

The project implementation, from procurement to completion, took over one year, as both the tender process and result evaluation required substantial time. In total, six bids were received, and after careful assessment, the most economically advantageous offer was submitted by SIA “RCG Lighthouse”. A contract was signed on August 7, 2024, for project execution within six months, which was successfully fulfilled.

Key Challenges and Solutions
To meet deadlines, multiple teams worked simultaneously, requiring precise planning, high coordination, and efficient communication. During the process, the teams encountered situations that demanded customized approaches and non-standard solutions. RCG Lighthouse’s recent experience—having replaced over 3,000 streetlights in Tukums Municipality—enabled them to effectively handle unexpected challenges and ensure high-quality, timely project completion.

Project Significance and Innovations
The project’s importance for the municipality and residents extends beyond electricity savings and CO₂ emission reductions. The new LED fixtures are equipped with autonomous brightness control, adjusting light output based on a preset schedule determined by the client. Additionally, the fixtures feature Zhaga sockets, allowing future integration with lighting control systems for remote monitoring and adjustment.

Savings and Environmental Benefits
The project delivers substantial savings and positive environmental effects:
Energy savings: 630.6 MWh/year
CO₂ emission reduction: 68.7 tons/year

High-efficiency, high-quality LED lighting not only reduces energy consumption and CO₂ emissions but also provides a safer and better-lit environment for residents. Lighting modernization is one of the fastest and most effective ways to cut electricity and maintenance costs.

This project marks a significant step toward a sustainable and eco-friendly future, and the Talsi Municipality is proud of its successful implementation.

In April 2023, the Augšdaugava Municipality launched the Environmental Investment Fund project “Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Public Territory Lighting Infrastructure of Augšdaugava Municipality” (No. EKII-7/27), replacing 633 traditional luminaires with light-emitting diode (LED) fixtures featuring programmable brightness adjustment/dimming capabilities. The work was carried out in Ilūkste, Subate, and several parishes, with an additional 64 luminaires replaced using municipal funds in selected streets of Eglaine village, Šēdere village, and Silene village. The work was completed on schedule—by March 31, 2025.

To promote the project’s results, an e-seminar was held on April 2, 2025, where attendees were presented with data on the actual reduction in electricity consumption following the modernization of public street lighting compared to pre-project figures. This undoubtedly allowed for an assessment of the effectiveness of LED technology implementation and the success of the lighting system upgrade.

The project’s planned energy savings amount to 384,929 MWh per year, with CO₂ savings of 41,957 tons per year, representing a reduction of over 80% compared to previous consumption.

During the e-seminar, specialists from RCG Lighthouse provided detailed information to participants on the project’s progress and highlighted issues in the street lighting infrastructure that the municipality should address in the future.

High-efficiency, high-quality LED lighting not only reduces electricity consumption and CO₂ emissions but also ensures a safer and better-lit environment for residents. Lighting modernization is one of the fastest and most effective ways to cut energy and maintenance costs.

The dimming mode integrated into the luminaires, based on a pre-agreed schedule, can generate up to 30% in additional savings. The upgraded fixtures also allow for the integration of remote control devices.

At the end of 2024, a lighting modernization project was successfully completed in several educational institutions in Balvi. The project began on September 10, 2024, and was finished on December 29, 2024, with the work carried out by the company RCG Lighthouse. The project involved the installation of energy-efficient LED lighting systems in five facilities: Balvi Vocational and General Secondary School, Stacija Primary School, Tilža Primary School, Balvi Swimming Pool, and Baltinava Secondary School.

The main goal of the project was to improve lighting quality in these educational institutions while increasing energy efficiency and reducing operational costs.

The implementation took place alongside active teaching processes, so the work schedule was carefully adjusted to avoid disrupting the institutions’ operations.

The LED lighting modernization project is a significant investment in the sustainable infrastructure development of Balvi Municipality. The new lighting systems provide several benefits for the municipality and its residents:

Energy Efficiency and Cost Reduction
The new LED lights consume significantly less electricity compared to traditional lighting solutions. For example, electricity consumption for lighting was reduced from 142.6 kW to 51.69 kW, ensuring substantial cost savings for the municipality.

Improved Learning Environment
Balanced and high-quality lighting enhances students’ visual comfort, improving their ability to concentrate during lessons. It also creates better working conditions for teachers and staff.

Sustainable Infrastructure
LED technology ensures a longer lifespan and requires less maintenance, reducing long-term operational costs and environmental impact.

Modern Solutions for the Future
The project demonstrates the municipality’s commitment to implementing innovative, eco-friendly solutions that align with the latest technological trends and energy efficiency standards.

Positive Impact on the Community
By introducing modern and sustainable solutions, Balvi sets a positive example for other regions and organizations, promoting awareness of the importance of sustainable infrastructure and improving residents’ quality of life.

The project also provides significant environmental benefits:

LED lights have a significantly longer lifespan compared to traditional bulbs, reducing electronic waste.

Unlike fluorescent lamps, LED lights do not contain harmful substances such as mercury, making them safer for the environment.

These improvements contribute to a more eco-friendly and sustainable municipal infrastructure while enhancing the quality of life for the local community.

The Daugavpils Municipality has completed the first phase of a project to install energy-efficient lighting in educational institutions and the Municipal Police building. As part of the project, the existing lighting was replaced with a modern, environmentally friendly LED lighting system, which will ensure significant energy savings and improve the quality of daily work and learning processes.

The project was implemented from October 1 to December 30, 2024, with the main goal of reducing electricity consumption while providing higher-quality lighting in educational institutions and municipal buildings. Before the replacement, energy consumption was 343.79 kW, but after the installation of the new system, it decreased to 140.77 kW.

The project was carried out by the team of RCG Lighthouse, a company with extensive experience in similar lighting projects. To minimize disruptions to daily operations, installation work was scheduled during evening hours, weekends, and holidays, thereby avoiding any impact on educational and work processes.

Benefits for the Municipality and Residents
• Energy savings: Electricity consumption reduced from 343.79 kW to 140.77 kW.
• Improved infrastructure: High-quality lighting will positively impact the daily activities of students and employees.
• Sustainability: LED technology ensures a longer lifespan and lower maintenance costs.
• Innovation: The project demonstrates the municipality’s ability to implement modern, eco-friendly solutions.

The new lighting system will not only enhance the quality of learning and work processes but also significantly reduce energy consumption, leading to substantial long-term savings in the municipal budget. LED technology offers a longer operational life and requires less technical maintenance, reducing upkeep costs and benefiting the environment.

Overall, this project not only improves the infrastructure of Daugavpils’ educational institutions and municipal buildings but also promotes sustainable development principles, enhancing residents’ quality of life.

Limbažu Municipality continues to successfully implement energy efficiency improvement measures, this time focusing on the introduction of energy-efficient lighting in schools, kindergartens, and sports halls. As part of the project, all old lighting was replaced with modern, energy-efficient LED lighting, using 16 different LED products with an average efficiency of 160 lm/W. This project marks the fourth lighting modernization initiative in Limbažu Municipality since 2021, enabling a full transition to LED technology across all municipal buildings.

Project Implementation Timeline and Key Stages:
• Consultation period: May 7–21
• Procurement process: May 23 – June 17
• Contract signing: July 16
• Project completion: December 30, 2024

Project Significance and Benefits:
1. For the Municipality and Residents:
Limbažu Municipality is one of the first regions in Latvia to adopt the ESCO (Energy Service Company) investment model for lighting modernization in educational institutions. Through four projects implemented since 2021, the municipality has achieved total savings of €217,000, which are used to cover ESCO service costs without drawing from the municipal budget.
2. Environmental Impact:
The switch to LED lighting significantly reduces energy consumption and carbon emissions, promoting more environmentally friendly and sustainable energy use.
3. Innovation and Experience:
Limbažu Municipality has distinguished itself with its expertise in lighting modernization, having successfully executed similar projects in schools, kindergartens, and sports halls in the past.
Limbažu Municipality – A Best Practice Example of Combining Municipal Budget Opportunities with Energy Efficiency
Limbažu Municipality has become a model for other municipalities, demonstrating how the ESCO model can be successfully used to enhance energy efficiency without additional financial burden on the municipal budget. In 2021, lighting replacements were carried out in Vidriži, Viļķene, and Pāle schools and sports halls.

This project is another step toward building a sustainable and energy-efficient future, delivering both economic and environmental benefits for the residents and the municipality of Limbaži.