27.05.2025
In Altkirch, 80% less energy consumption thanks to LED lighting
Since October 2024, the town of Altkirch has completed the complete modernization of its public lighting system. In just a few months, the town's 1,400 light points were replaced by LED equipment, enabling a reduction in energy consumption of almost 80%.
This project, carried out by Ineo Réseaux, a subsidiary of Equans France, under a 12-year contract, also includes regular maintenance of the installations and the installation of consumption monitoring software. Financed through the intracting scheme, the project does not generate any additional costs for the local authority: the energy savings achieved fully cover the expenses incurred, despite the increase in the price of electricity.
Modernization financed by energy savings
In April 2023, the town of Altkirch signed a 12-year, €2.5 million performance contract with Ineo Réseaux, part of Equans France.
The project is being carried out by a consortium of companies, with Ineo Réseaux as leader and Spie City Networks as co-contractor.
After 18 months of work, completed in September 2024, the City now has a modernized public lighting network, capable of reconciling energy efficiency and quality of service.
To achieve the ambitious target of 80% energy savings, 100% of the lighting fixtures have been replaced by LEDs, which are more economical and sustainable.
Night lighting is now optimized thanks to an automatic dimming system that starts at 8pm and runs until sunrise.
Initially programmed to deliver 68% energy savings, the system has been fine-tuned to achieve 80% energy efficiency, thanks to a series of technical optimizations carried out by Ineo Réseaux.
A decisive step towards a connected, sustainable city
In order to finance this project without burdening the municipal budget, the municipality opted for the intracting scheme, an innovative mechanism based on the reinvestment of the energy savings achieved. Thanks to this strategy, Altkirch's annual consumption will fall from 706,837 to 140,483 kWh between 2023 and the end of 2024.
This model not only supports the energy transition, but also preserves public lighting at night to ensure safety for residents, while limiting the impact on biodiversity thanks to softer, better-regulated lighting.
Talking lighting to youngsters
Nicolas Gence and Martin Renevier, street lighting engineers at the École des Tuileries in Altkirch, France
As part of its efforts to raise awareness of the issues surrounding public lighting and the energy transition, Ineo Réseaux visited a mixed class of CM1 and CM2 pupils this week.
Through an educational workshop, the pupils discovered the fundamental principles of light in a fun and accessible way: its origin, its composition, and its role in human perception of color.
In particular, the workshop addressed the notion of color temperature and its influence on the appearance of objects, as well as the impact of lighting on flora and fauna.
Students were made aware of the importance of energy savings in public lighting, and discovered how lowering light intensity helps preserve the environment.
A LED luminaire, equipped with lenses, was presented to illustrate in concrete terms the technological innovations implemented for more respectful and sustainable lighting.
"This project in Altkirch is a perfect illustration of our vision of intelligent, sustainable public lighting focused on usage. Thanks to LED technology and optimized lighting dimming, we have been able to combine energy efficiency, sobriety and quality of service. The 80% energy savings target has now been achieved, without compromising on safety or comfort for residents. It's also a fine demonstration of what virtuous financing such as intracting can achieve: investing without burdening budgets, by reinjecting the gains made. We're proud to have supported the city in this ambitious transition," explains Liêm Cao Thai, Regional Director of Ineo Réseaux Nord-Est, an Equans France entity.
"This project enables the City of Altkirch to give life to its commitments to reduce energy consumption, and the results are already visible. The improvement in energy performance, thanks in particular to the dimming of lights without total extinction, marks a concrete step forward - and lays the foundations for the connected city of tomorrow", explains Nicolas Jander, Mayor of Altkirch.
