Minneapolis, Minnesota (Sept. 24, 2018) – Xcel Energy is bringing the economic, environmental and aesthetic benefits of high-efficiency LED streetlights to Minneapolis. The upgrade of more than 24,000 streetlights in the city began last week. 

Minneapolis is the final Minnesota community to receive this conversion, which has taken place in nearly 350 communities in the state over the past two years. The overall effort focused on converting about 90,000 Xcel Energy-owned streetlights throughout the state from cobra head-style, high pressure sodium fixtures to new, more energy-efficient fixtures using LEDs. 

LED fixtures use approximately 40-60 percent less electricity than HPS lights and have a longer life, which means less maintenance and fewer replacements. Once conversion is completed, Minneapolis can expect to save 4-7 percent – or more than $150,000 annually – on its street lighting bill. 

“The installation of LED streetlights in Minnesota is another way Xcel Energy is making investments in technology that improves customer service and our environmental performance,” said Chris Clark, president, Xcel Energy - Minnesota. “Additionally, LED streetlights will help control costs and enhance safety for the communities we serve. We’re excited to begin installations here in Minneapolis as we complete our effort to convert all of our Minnesota streetlights to LEDs.”

“Like we have with the Clean Energy Partnership, Minneapolis and Xcel Energy are once again bringing an initiative forward to improve energy efficiency while reducing our city’s overall carbon footprint,” said Mayor Jacob Frey. “The complete conversion to LEDs is a win-win: it’s good for our environment and will also allow us to save taxpayer dollars through significantly lower street lighting bills.”

Before launching its effort to replace all 300,000 of its company-owned streetlights across all service territories, Xcel Energy conducted a lengthy analysis to develop this program using energy efficiency, engineering and industry experts and standards. This included a thorough review of LED lighting standards and best practices such as potential energy savings from LED lights, public safety, pedestrian and traffic improvements, neighborhood and community livability issues.

Xcel Energy also tested the latest LED technology in the field through three pilot projects including one in West St. Paul. The West St. Paul location, with a 537-LED streetlight upgrade in 2013, was the largest project. The results showed a significant reduction in energy use.

Xcel Energy crews will install LED replacement fixtures for all Xcel Energy-owned HPS cobra head-style streetlights at the 100W, 150W, and 250W equivalent levels in Minneapolis. Xcel Energy will pay all costs associated with the retrofits, including removal and salvage of old lights and installation of the new LED fixtures. There are no costs to Minneapolis for the streetlight replacements.

For more information please visit: Community Wide LED Street Lighting Upgrades (external link).

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About Xcel Energy

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) provides the energy that powers millions of homes and businesses across eight Western and Midwestern states. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the company is an industry leader in responsibly reducing carbon emissions and producing and delivering clean energy solutions from a variety of renewable sources at competitive prices. For more information, visit xcelenergy.com or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.