The city of Lille will stop lighting public buildings at night, except in two emblematic squares in the center, and put certain fountains out of service, announced the socialist mayor Martine Aubry on Friday September 2, 2022 on France Blue North.
“We will announce our energy sobriety plan next week and we will turn off the lights in the city at night except on the Grand’Place and the Place de l’Opéra”explained the mayor.
A saving of “about 170,000 KW”
Martine Aubry made this announcement during an interview on the Braderie de Lille Saturday and Sunday, whose character she praised ” in the mood of time “ by promoting sobriety and the circular economy.
“As of Monday, the lighting in public buildings will be turned off, with the exception of the Grand-Place and the Place de l’Opéra – i.e. an annual energy consumption saving of around 170,000 KW”the town hall then said in a press release.
In addition, “the fountains of the Grand’Place and the Place de la République will not be put back into operation for reasons of saving water and energy”.
Reduced consumption since 2004
If the streets will remain lit, “Electric consumption linked to lighting has been reduced by 54% since 2004”underlines the press release. “At the end of the current market, in 2028, they will have been reduced by 72% compared to 2004”he continues, emphasizing “a very fine optimization of powers with, for most streets, a dimming of about 30% between midnight and 6 am”.
On Friday morning, President Emmanuel Macron convened a Defense Council to take stock of gas and electricity supplies and examine scenarios to avoid shortages and save money.