lighting
London’s Tower Bridge is set for a lighting makeover in time for 2012 celebrations. New look for icon
A DEAL between City Hall, City of London Corporation, EDF and GE could see the installation of an energy-efficient lighting system on Tower Bridge. As well as helping to cut carbon and reduce energy costs, the project will enhance the icon’s architectural features at night. Following a major re-painting and stone
cleaning programme, a funding deal has now been brokered by London Mayor Boris Johnson, between the bridge owners, City of London Corporation, London 2012 Sustainability partners EDF and GE to upgrade the famous structure’s 25-year old lighting system. If given planning permission, this will
deliver LEDs and flexible lighting and a new cabling system to complement the bridge’s features, such as its gothic turrets, central aerial walkway and suspension chains, in colours sensitive to its listed building status. The lighting system will be flexible, allowing for both varying colours and intensity of light, enabling Tower Bridge to respond to special events in what the partners describe as a spectacular manner. Tower Bridge currently has traditional,
static flood-lighting which can flatten the architecture. The use of energy efficient LED technology, supplied by GE, will reduce the energy consumption of the existing lighting system by an estimated 40 per cent on today’s usage. The project must now obtain the necessary planning permissions but if
successful, work could start by September and be completed by spring 2012, in time for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Commercial agreements have been signed between all relevant parties and a detailed planning application is being drawn-up. The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said he wants London to look its very best in 2012. “Tower Bridge is one of this city’s most stunning landmarks, recognised the world over and therefore deserving of a star role in these year-long celebrations.” He said the deal, which has been
brokered at no cost to the taxpayer, will create a fresh perspective of this wonderful icon. “This is another great legacy for London stretching for decades beyond the Olympic year,” he said. Lighting experts Citelum, whose historic buildings projects include the Valley of the Kings in Egypt, Petronas Tower in Kuala Lumpur and the Eiffel Tower, has been appointed to design and subject to planning approvals, begin installation works. EDF Energy, the UK subsidiary of EDF and an electricity supplier in London, will become the lighting electricity supplier for Tower Bridge and will match every unit of electricity that it supplies to Tower Bridge with power generated from low carbon sources. The supplier already powers the London Eye attraction and Vincent de Rivaz, chief executive at EDF Energy, said this new partnership will help reduce the carbon footprint of another London
Energy efficient, GE LED lights will enhance the historic landmark in a 25-year legacy
landmark ahead of the Games. “We hope that the new energy efficient lighting will make Tower Bridge a shining symbol of sustainability, encouraging visitors and residents to think about how they can live a lower carbon lifestyle.”
www.ge.com/uk and
www.edfenergy.com bflmagazine.co.uk 19
Images courtesy of City of London
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