Jamaica Lights Up with Smart LED Streetlights
Jamaica, the largest island in the English-speaking Caribbean, is renowned for its vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and warm, inviting people. Now, the nation of 2.7 million is shining even brighter through an initiative that is revolutionising its streetlighting system.
The Jamaica Public Service Company's (JPSCo) Smart Light-emitting Diode (LED) Streetlight Project, funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the Agence Française de Développement, and JPSCo, has replaced more than 100,000 inefficient high-pressure sodium streetlights in all 14 parishes across the island, with smart LED fixtures.
Streetlighting is the second-largest consumer of electricity in Jamaica’s public sector. High-efficiency lighting helps reduce power consumption and carbon emissions, as well as lowers the cost of service by as much as 60 percent.
Brighter Streets, Safer Lives
Embracing smart technology reduces costs and the benefits go beyond just lighting. Some of Jamaica’s most well-traversed public spaces have benefited from the project, including the roadways leading to Jamaica’s two main international airports in St. James and Kingston, and the official residences of Jamaica’s Governor-General and Prime Minister. Brighter streetlights could boost economic activity, encouraging nighttime businesses and activities.
“The light is concentrated on the roadway, so because of the nature of that white light, it improves visibility. You are able to stand at one end of a street and identify a person or a vehicle at the other end.”
“These lights are like a blessing. Before, it was too dark, and the place just had a dismal appearance. But now, we can see everywhere.”
CDB Lighting the Way to a Sustainable Future
The USD25 million project aligns with Jamaica’s 2030 national development plan and the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals for affordable and clean energy and climate action. CDB has underscored its commitment to promoting energy security in its borrowing member countries, and to sustainability in the region, by incentivising energy efficiency and smart grid investments.
The Bank has provided a combined USD59.3 million to support the shift to more energy-efficient public lighting through similar streetlight retrofitting projects in Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Suriname.
“In addition to the energy savings benefits, the smart features have been particularly valuable to facilitate improved operation, ability to measure energy consumption of each light, and to support quicker maintenance response. We consider this project to be a good case study for successful implementation of new sustainable energy technology on electricity grid in small island developing states.”
