New LED lighting shines down on Iqaluit’s streets

Qulliq Energy Corp. has begun installing new LED street lighting in Iqaluit, with plans to gradually replace lights throughout the rest of Nunavut. (PHOTO BY SARAH ROGERS)

If you’re looking up from Iqaluit’s streets, you might notice a new glow coming from the city’s lighting posts.

That’s because the Qulliq Energy Corp. is installing energy efficient light emitting diode, or “LED,” street lights throughout the city this year as part of its energy conservation measures.

During February, QEC replaced conventional streets lights with 21 LED lights along the road from Iqaluit’s airport to the Four Corners intersection, QEC minister George Hickes told the legislative assembly March 3.

Next, QEC plans to replace lights from Four Corners to Arctic Ventures, gradually replacing all the city’s street lights.

“LED street lighting saves energy and reduces the cost of illuminating the city,” Hickes said.

“The new street lights are also brighter, improving visibility and road safety especially during the winter season.”

The QEC will pay $30,000 to replace the city’s street lighting.

The new lighting is expected to translate into a 30 per cent reduction in energy use, Hickes said, while the lights last five times longer than conventional street lights.

The power corporation did testing in 2015 to measure the lights’ performance and decided it was worthwhile to change them. Iqaluit will be the first community in Nunavut to use outdoor LED lighting.

The goal is to expand the new street lighting to the rest of Nunavut, Hickes said.