Cergy, 21 November 2022 - SPIE CityNetworks, the French subsidiary of the SPIE Group, the European independent leader in multi-technical services in the areas of energy and communications, is using its technical expertise to help local authorities make energy savings by reducing their consumption over the long term. Faced with the ageing of the public lighting stock in France, the company has entered into energy performance contracts with local authorities through which it undertakes to help them achieve recurrent savings, estimated at between 50% and 70% per year.

Modernising France's public lighting stock will both improve environmental performance and promote biodiversity

In France, approximately 20%* of the public lighting stock is equipped with LED technology, for a stock of 10 million light points with an average age of 30 years and 40% of the luminaires in service being over 25 years old. With an average renewal rate of 5% per year, there is considerable room for improvement for local authorities in terms of energy savings.

Public lighting represents an annual consumption of 9.4 TWh and, on average, 41% of the electricity consumption of municipalities. This is a very significant financial burden that is increasing with the current rise in energy prices.


By switching to LEDs for their public lighting, local authorities can achieve energy savings of 50 to 70% on average of their current consumption, with a rapid return on investment.


SPIE CityNetworks supports its clients in the research and implementation of innovative solutions that combine LED technology with remote management systems. These solutions not only make it possible to drastically reduce energy consumption by lowering lighting levels to the exact level required, without having to shut down the lighting, but also to meet the challenges of biodiversity and wildlife conservation, while maintaining a very high level of comfort and safety for residents.

Two examples of energy performance contracts implemented by SPIE CityNetworks recently with significant results


Energy Performance Contracts (EPCs) are long-term contracts with local authorities for the installation, renovation and maintenance of public lighting. They are based on the setting of energy performance objectives with an obligation to achieve results, in a win-win approach. SPIE CityNetworks has signed two such contracts with the municipalities of Ploemeur (56) and Saint-Priest (69).

  • Ploemeur in Morbihan (56): a contract for the period 2021 - 2033

The 18-month renovation programme enabled the entire municipality to be equipped with the latest generation of LED lighting. The teams renovated 700 masts, secured the overhead (10 km) and underground (4 km) networks and equipped the town's 140 cabinets with a remote "LoRa" network. This will enable the town to reduce its electricity consumption by 67% and avoid 620 tonnes of CO2 emissions over the period 2021-2033. From 2023, the bill for public lighting will be reduced by 2/3 and the return on investment for the project is estimated at 6 years.

The Mayor of Ploemeur, Ronan Loas, praised the work of the SPIE CityNetworks teams for "achieving the objectives in terms of safety, deadlines, technical innovation and energy commitment". On 19 October, he commented: "The entire lighting system of the town of Ploemeur is nearing the end of its renovation. (...) This renewal will be accompanied by a 50% reduction in lighting at night. 900,000 kWh will be saved per year.

  • Saint-Priest in the Rhône (69): a contract for the period 2021 - 2030

The 9-year contract provides for the replacement of 6,000 light points with LEDs, which consume less energy and are more durable. A digital component has also been included, with the integration of a "LoRa" infrastructure enabling the connection of remote management modules in the seven cabinets that will be brought into compliance. At the end of this renovation phase, the municipality's energy consumption will be reduced by more than 70% compared to its current level.

For Luc Sauze, Managing Director of SPIE CityNetworks: "The Salon des Maires et des Collectivités Locales 2022 is a great opportunity for us to discuss with elected officials and decision-makers in the field of regional development the relevance and effectiveness of our innovative solutions, which we have recently implemented. These solutions enable local authorities to make significant energy savings in terms of public lighting, and to move towards the more responsible and sustainable city of tomorrow.

*The various figures are taken from recent studies by SERCE, AFE and FNCCR

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SPIE SA published this content on 21 November 2022 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 21 November 2022 09:18:07 UTC.