Transport for London’s (TfL) work to decarbonise its operations continues at pace with the installation of 6,000 Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs at King’s Cross St Pancras Tube station. This is the latest of the 120 stations across the Tube network to be upgraded, which means more than 40% of the Tube network is now brighter and more efficiently lit, making journeys more comfortable and safer for customers.
Customers who use the busy interchange station are benefiting from a more brightly lit journey after the LED conversion, with the new bulbs consuming less power, halving carbon output and the cost of electricity compared to traditional lighting. It is expected to generate energy savings of 1,400MWh per year, equivalent to powering 500 number of homes a year or almost 300 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide equivalent (CO2e) and up to £455,000 in operational savings in the first year.
LED lighting also lasts longer than traditional fluorescent lighting, reducing maintenance and replacement costs.
Currently, more than 40% of Tube stations across London – such as Westminster, Golders Green, and Old Street – have been converted to LED lighting, with further stations, such as Bank and Monument planned for a lighting upgrade in the coming years. Due to the nature of the work, it is carried out when stations are closed and power is switched off, which means limited windows to carry out the work.
The majority of LEDs used in stations across the network have come from UK-based suppliers and installers, ensuring the security of supply and supporting the UK’s growth and innovation in the lighting sector. At the start of the next decade, TfL aims to have all stations converted to LED lighting, which will deliver a significant saving in associated CO2e.
Lilli Matson, chief safety, health and environment Officer at TfL, said: “Decarbonising our operation is key to reducing the impact of public transport on climate change. By upgrading key stations like King’s Cross St Pancras to LED lighting, it not only provides a brighter, more pleasing environment for our customers, but it also helps us reduce costs and carbon emissions. Work to decarbonise our operational buildings helps us run a more energy efficient network, underpinning our commitment to do what we can to ensure our services are the most sustainable way to move around the city.
“London is helping to lead the way towards achieving net zero and we are committed to doing what we can to ensure our services are the most sustainable way to move around the city.”
Mete Coban, Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy added: “LED lights are a great way for TfL to decarbonise the network, and help achieve net zero carbon by 2030. The new lighting will cut costs and carbon emissions while providing customers with a brighter and more comfortable journey through the station.
“This will help our mission to make London more climate resilient, creating a fairer, greener city for all.”
In addition to stations, TfL is also working to convert depots to lower-energy-consuming LED lighting and using smart technology so that it can continue to operate the network but in a more energy efficient way. Work has recently been carried out at Neasden and Ruislip Depots and in the Wheel Lathe Shed at Upminster depot, which have not only reduced associated energy consumption for lighting, but also provided a better lit working environment for train maintenance teams who work to keep trains in active service across the network.
On completion of the LED lighting conversion, the depots are expected to reduce electricity consumption and carbon emissions by almost half.
Image credit: Luca Marino/TfL
