HAMPSHIRE County Council is lighting the way to energy savings by replacing three quarters of lights in its buildings with low energy LEDs.

The light replacement project is part of a wider energy saving programme which has seen the county council reduce its carbon emissions by 38.1 per cent since 2010 – saving around £30 million in energy costs overall.

Councillor Mel Kendal, executive member for economic development, said: “Switching to LED lighting makes perfect economic and environmental sense – reducing our energy and maintenance costs by £240,000 a year, as well as lowering our carbon emissions.

“We’re well on track to reaching our 40 per cent carbon reduction target by 2025, with the ultimate aim of being carbon neutral by 2050. This is great news for Hampshire taxpayers and the environment.”

The light replacement project is part of the county council’s £2.7 million investment in its Energy and Carbon Management Programme.

This includes investigating the possibility of converting its small vehicle fleet from diesel to electric and the installation of around 40 new electric vehicle charging points.

Councillor Kendal added: “We’re trialling electric vehicles across different areas to help inform our decision making.

“Data tells us that replacing our diesel fleet with electric vehicles could reduce our fuel costs by 96 per cent, and save around £210,000 per year – continuing our strong track record of planned investment for long term energy savings.”

As well as saving around £30 million in energy costs since 2010, the county council has also reduced its carbon tax charges by £330,000 since the start of the programme.

Funding for the next phase of the Energy and Carbon Management Programme is due to be considered on October 18.