“Turn off the light, show me your dark side. From Monday, public buildings in Lille, in the North, will no longer be lit as part of the energy sobriety plan put in place by the municipality. An ecologically logical decision, given the climate emergency, which is also economically interesting.
So to counter immediately the remarks of the teasing spirits who would rise up against the security scandal of plunging a city into darkness: this will not be the case. No, everyone can be reassured, the street lighting in Lille will continue to work. Only public buildings, such as the belfry of the town hall or the Museum of Fine Arts, will be engulfed in darkness. For the pleasure of the eyes, it’s a bit of a shame, especially since the lighting of these buildings was particularly successful. On the other hand, ecologically and economically speaking, it makes sense.
There are no small savings
According to the city, this approach will allow it to save no less than 170,000 kWh each year. This more or less corresponds to the annual electricity consumption for hot water for 212 people (800 kWh/person/year), or about 30,000 euros. For what will remain lit at night, the municipality has undertaken an optimization process for many years. According to the city, “electricity consumption linked to lighting has been reduced by 54% since 2004”, we are assured. A figure that should even reach 72% by 2028.
Still for reasons of energy sobriety, the fountains of the Grand-place and the Place de la République will stop flowing until further notice without any date for refilling water having been advanced. Fans of night walks can rest assured, it will always be possible to enjoy the lighting of the Grand-Place and the Place de l’Opéra, the only two places where the juice will not be cut.