June 24, 2024
Amid the energy transition, Niort is taking a new step toward making its lighting more environmentally friendly and protecting biodiversity
To mark the start of installation work on Rue de l’Hometrou, the city of Niort (79) presented the new performance contract signed with Ineo Réseaux, a subsidiary of Equans France, to upgrade its street lighting by 2028. Following an initial 5-year partnership that began in 2018—which resulted in a 57% reduction in energy consumption and savings of 2.5 million euros—the two organizations are now setting their sights even higher. The renovation of an additional 2,000 light fixtures, retrofitting and reuse of materials, further energy savings, and initiatives to promote biodiversity: the project builds on the results of the first contract and aims to amplify the benefits achieved.
"Providing lighting that is as precise as possible and tailored to specific needs"
In 2018, the City of Niort entered into a 5-year Energy Performance Contract (EPC) with Ineo for the renovation, management, and maintenance of its streetlight system. The City of Niort’s goal was to achieve energy savings to counter the sharp rise in electricity costs, but above all to renovate the street lighting, which had become partially outdated. Another challenge was standardizing the street lighting system to unify the approximately 100 different models of streetlights and light sources, thereby facilitating maintenance.
As part of this contract, 39% of the system was equipped with low-temperature LED lighting, helping to significantly reduce energy consumption and limit the impact of light pollution on ecosystems. Standalone solar streetlights, located in more outlying areas, complement this system and eliminate the need to install additional power lines. Equans has also implemented a remote management system to control the energy consumption of the lighting infrastructure in the city’s very center.
In practical terms, this technology makes it possible to control—either in real time or through predefined scenarios—the switching on, switching off, or dimming of a streetlight in order to tailor its use “as closely as possible to actual needs”: based on foot traffic in an area, the time of night, surrounding biodiversity, or unforeseen events.
At the end of this initial contract, the objectives set by the two partners were met and even exceeded: energy savings of 57% were achieved across the entire fleet (the initial target was 52%), a figure reaching as high as 77.9% when considering only the areas covered by the renovation (the target was 72%). Savings totaling 2.5 million euros were also achieved from 2018 to 2023.
A city that is a pioneer in biodiversity conservation
As the second leading cause of insect decline, artificial nighttime lighting degrades natural habitats and disrupts the physiological functions and biological rhythms of flora and fauna. To protect biodiversity, Niort was among the very first cities to adopt 2,700-kelvin LEDs, anticipating the regulation that would make it mandatory a few months later*. To achieve this, the city relied not only on Ineo but also on the manufacturer Comatelec Schréder, which agreed to take on the challenge of launching a dedicated lighting fixture production line.
Among other initiatives, the city of Niort features numerous green, blue, and black corridors designed to facilitate the movement and life cycles of species. As part of this effort, the city and Equans assessed the necessity of each light fixture and removed many of them. Among the affected areas, waterways designated as “Havens of Peace for the Otter” are key habitats for the European otter, a species protected since 1972. The policy of turning off the lights from midnight to 5:30 a.m. was also established in consultation with environmental organizations and neighborhood councils.
Finally, the reduction in average power per light point from 105 watts to 61 watts—80 watts less than the national average—was a key factor in protecting biodiversity, which is sensitive not only to temperature but also to the power of the lighting fixtures, during the first contract.
Energy consumption cut in half over 10 years
In 2023, the city of Niort chose to partner once again with Ineo Réseaux—a long-standing local expert in electrical installations and networks—to continue its efforts toward energy efficiency and the reduction of light pollution.
The goal of this new contract is to retrofit an additional 2,000 light fixtures, prioritizing light sources rated at over 100 watts. In addition, the retrofit applied to some of the streetlights will modernize the old equipment without replacing it entirely, resulting in savings on installation costs, reducing waste, and extending the equipment’s lifespan. An additional 24.6% energy savings are expected across the city’s entire lighting infrastructure by 2028, enabling the municipality to halve its energy consumption within 10 years.
The city of Niort is continuing its energy and ecological transition through the renewal and expansion of the Global Performance Contract for street lighting. We are confident of its success, given the results of the first contract. Explains Dominique Six, First Deputy Mayor of Niort in charge of Public Spaces.
The decision to renew the contract with Equans is not simply based on financial considerations. The city of Niort seeks to balance environmental protection, well-being, and economic considerations, and this requires thoughtful and responsible lighting. It was in this same spirit that the municipality launched its “nighttime lights-out” campaign in 2020, which allowed residents to rediscover the serenity of the night, the beauty of a starry sky, and the comfort of open windows during hot weather. adds Morgane Aubineau, head of public lighting for the city of Niort.
We are very proud and delighted to continue supporting the city of Niort for another five years as it modernizes its lighting infrastructure. Our know-how and expertise enable us to optimize the installations to the fullest extent possible in order to drastically reduce energy consumption and adapt the lighting to serve the community, citizens, and the environment. Said Alexandre Sans, Deputy Regional Director of Ineo Réseaux Centre Atlantique, a division of Equans France.
