Overview

Sredets Municipality improved the energy efficiency of its street lighting network, increasing road safety, and enhancing the urban environment through the replacement of outdated infrastructure. The project was funded under the EEA Financial Mechanism 2014–2021, within the framework of the “Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Energy Security” program. Before the intervention, Sredets relied on high-pressure sodium lamps installed over two decades ago. These were inefficient, costly to maintain, and often left streets inadequately lit due to delayed replacements. The municipality lacked the financial resources for a full upgrade until it secured external funding and support. Key project outcomes included: i) Replacement of existing luminaires with high-efficiency LED, ii) Installation of 10 solar-powered lamps in areas without access to the grid, as a pilot for RES applicability, and iii) deployment of an energy monitoring and management system. Key lessons suggest using proven and easily implementable technologies, preparing clear terms of reference, and working with experienced international partners. This case also shows the importance of avoiding complicated procurement procedures that can cause delays and legal or financial risks, as well as avoiding expensive untested technology with unclear performance.

RESULTS

Annual savings 76%:

• 39,618 €/year
• 465 МWh/year
• 549 CO₂ kg/year

TIMESCALE

2021-2022

FINANCING

Total investment cost: 186.000 €

Financing rate: National 10%, EU 90%

CONTACTS

Municipality of Sredets