Human Settlements
Page 39
Streetlighting - emissions and energy consumption
Local Councils and their ratepayers are responsible for the energy costs of
lighting along all non-arterial roads, streets, walkways and paths of reserves -
however the vast majority of public lighting infrastructure is the property of
ETSA Utilities ( now Power Networks) who therefore have operational control of
this infrastructure. Council covers the cost of electricity and tariff charges which
totals over $2 million annually to cover the use of the system, electricity costs,
and maintenance by ETSA Utilities.
There are two main tariffs that are charged to Council for Public lighting,
including:
•
SLUOS tariff charges for unmetered ETSA Utilities-owned public lighting
•
CLER tariff charges for unmetered Council owned public lighting
The majority of street lighting in Port Adelaide Enfield are on the "Standard"
tariff (SLUOS) and therefore not classified as being within Council’s operational
control. The remaining CLER public streetlights may need to be reported by
Council as ‘Scope 2’ emissions under the National Greenhouse and Energy
Reporting Act (NGER) in the future, depending on the circumstances.
Currently Council has the option to report on ‘Scope 3’ greenhouse gas
emissions for SLUOS and CLER tariff public lighting.
ETSA owns the majority of street lighting and Council has minimum control in
reducing lighting infrastructure costs and improving lighting energy efficiency.
The cost of bulk changing of inefficient lighting to efficient lighting would be in
the millions of dollars, in addition to the existing costs for tariffs including
maintenance and capital outlay costs. Due to this cost, Council is not prepared
to invest in bulk lighting replacement unless ETSA’s Local Government service
levels and costing framework is changed.
In early 2011 a reference group was established, including Council staff
representatives from six Councils, to assist and provide advice to the LGA
negotiation team on Council expectations for Public Lighting service levels and
costs. One of the key objectives of the new SA LGA Council Public Lighting
service levels and cost arrangements is to provide incentives for Councils to
uptake sustainable, energy efficient public lighting technologies.
Council goal setting
The Council’s new
Energy and Water Efficiency Management Plan
2012 - 2015
actions and GHG targets will be aligned and consistent with reliable baseline
greenhouse gas and energy datasets. Council will need to increase the uptake
of energy and water efficiency projects and renewable technologies to meet the
organisation-wide Environmental Objectives and Targets. One of the new
initiatives in the Energy and Water Efficiency Management Plan is a
recommendation to transfer Green Power funds previously invested in State
renewable projects into local renewable energy projects managed by Council,
