The project will replace 21,587 street lights throughout the island with high efficiency LED lights.

Saint Lucia has received approval for a US$9.5 million LED Street Lighting Project that will replace all street lights on the island with energy-efficient ones.

The project, the first of its kind in the Caribbean, will involve the replacement of 21,587 high-pressure-sodium and mercury-vapour street lights with high efficiency light-emitting diode (LED) street lights.

Currently, the Government of Saint Lucia spends over EC$11 million annually to illuminate the island's roadways. This expenditure represents over one third of government’s total annual expenditure on electricity. It is anticipated that after replacement, government's annual savings will be approximately 60 percent or a little over EC$6 million. Therefore, government would have fulfilled its promise to reduce government expenditure on electricity by 20 percent in the Public Service well before the 2020 target, via the LED Street Lighting Project alone.

In addition to significant financial savings, the LED Street Lighting Project will reduce the total quantity of oil imported into Saint Lucia and reduce overall national energy consumption.

Saint Lucia’s Energy Minister Hon. Dr. James Fletcher conceptualized the initiative and approached the CDB for financial support.

He said the project is a key component of government’s sustainable energy program; and indicated that in addition to making more revenue available for other purposes, the reduction in energy demand will help Saint Lucia meet its obligation under the Paris Climate Change Agreement, to reduce the production of greenhouse gases. He added that the Government of Saint Lucia has shown itself to be a pioneer in sustainable energy initiatives in the Caribbean and that his ministry is pleased to be associated with the project.

The Board of Directors of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) approved the project at a May 16 meeting. 

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