On Monday, October 5, during the meeting of the Outdoor and Mobility Committee, the project's intention to modernize the lighting system in the capital was presented in detail. The project provides for the replacement of luminaires, the installation of individual luminaire controllers and the transfer of the replaced lighting infrastructure to a private partner for the duration of the contract. The municipality has chosen the ESCO model for this purpose.
In total, there are about 52,000 public lighting fixtures in Riga, of which 19,100 have been replaced so far, or LED light emitting diode luminaires, and about 33,000 are sodium lamp luminaires. Most of the existing LED luminaires are already equipped with individual luminaire controllers operating in a single system.
As part of the planned infrastructure upgrade, it is planned to replace approximately 31,000 sodium and outdated or inadequate LED luminaires with modern LED luminaires, thus ensuring a complete transition of urban lighting to LED technology. Within the framework of the project, all newly installed luminaires will be equipped with individual luminaire controllers.
The ESCO model provides for the transfer of the maintenance of the replaced lighting infrastructure to the private partner for the duration of the ESCO contract.
By the end of 2026, preparations are underway to carry out the procurement, the estimated total contract amount is more than EUR 10 million, which includes attracting financing, replacing, installing and maintaining luminaires and controllers for the duration of the contract. The number of luminaires to be included in the procurement will be specified during the preparation of the documentation, taking into account the decisions of the local government regarding participation in the EKII programmes and the possibilities of attracting European Union funding.
The procurement is planned for 2027, while the contract is expected to start in 2028, with the replacement of the luminaires by the end of 2030.
Information prepared by: Ieva Grīsle, Project Coordinator, External Communication Division, Riga Municipality Communication Department, e-mail: ieva.grisle@riga.lv