Up to 700,000 traffic lights across Taiwan will have been replaced with light-emitting diode lamps by the end of the month, according to the Energy Bureau under the Ministry of Economic Affairs Sept. 26.
MOEA officials said that after the new semiconductor light source is adopted, annual electricity consumption is expected to be slashed by 85 percent, saving 247 million kilowatt-hours and reducing carbon emissions by 151,200 metric tons.
This achievement will make Taiwan the second country after Singapore to install LED traffic lights countrywide, the MOEA said. The change will also contribute to safety, as the bright LED lamps make traffic signals clearly visible to drivers even in pouring rain or direct sunlight, it added.
The MOEA first introduced the project in 2009, investing NT$550 million (US$18 million) to subsidize local governments in a move to boost Taiwan’s LED industry by enlarging domestic markets.
The next step will be to replace more than 700,000 mercury streetlights with LED lamps by 2018, MOEA officials said, adding that the objective by year-end is 24,000 units.
“Although mercury lamps are priced at just over NT$3,000 per unit, much cheaper than LEDs, they consume more electricity and risk polluting the environment,” they said.
The ministry pointed out that as the government helps increase demand, manufacturers will be able to lower costs and sell a 70-watt LED streetlight lamp for NT$7,000 by 2015, compared to the current price of NT$15,000.
The MOEA will also propose an amendment to the Legislature prohibiting the installation of mercury lights on new roads, it said. (THN)
Write to Aaron Hsu at pj1210meister@mail.gio.gov.tw