Signify supports Dublin Port Tunnel with a fast route to energy efficiency

May 25, 2023

Signify supports Dublin Port Tunnel with a fast route to energy efficiency

Replacing tunnel lighting for all its 1800 light points with fully CE Marked energy-efficient LED lighting is already saving up to 60% in electricity, or the equivalent of the electricity consumed by up to 300 Irish households.
LED retrofit solution works seamlessly with existing fittings for maximum efficiency and minimum waste.
Improved the quality of lighting for drivers in the tunnel to CRI70 from a low of CRI25.

Dublin, Ireland – Signify (Euronext: LIGHT), the world leader in lighting, has equipped Dublin Port Tunnel in Ireland, an iconic infrastructure spanning 9km, with energy-efficient LED lighting for all its 1800 light points in the tunnel. The upgraded lighting has achieved up to 60% reduction in electricity use (based on 2022 rates), or the equivalent of the electricity consumed by up to 300 Irish households¹. The upgrade has enabled the tunnel to operate with reduced costs, lower emissions, and a reduced impact on grid congestion. The project is expected to save upwards of €4 million (£3.3 million) in electricity costs including VAT over the coming five years. The installation includes reusing the existing fittings for all light points. So, the project contributes to a more circular economy, saving an estimated €3 million (£2.6 million) as opposed to opting for a new LED infrastructural installation.

Since the end of 2006, Dublin Port Tunnel has provided a link to the wider motorway network between Dublin Port and the M50, routing heavy goods transport quickly, quietly, and safely away from city and residential areas. Tunnel maintenance operator ERTO was instructed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to find a solution that would reduce energy costs and improve the quality of light in the tunnel. Signify’s LED retrofit solution was selected for its ease of replacement and impressive cost savings, which are especially significant in the context of the current energy crisis. Also, given that the tunnel is a dedicated route for Heavy Goods Vehicles between the Port, located in the heart of the city and the greater road network via the Coolock Lane Interchange (M50), the LED lighting project also aims to improve visibility in the tunnel. The project is part of the Irish government’s energy efficiency plans and was partially funded through the European Green Deal.

Dublin Port Tunnel before and after LED upgrade

Replacing the existing over 17 year installed Philips WRTL SON-T lighting with LED lights from Signify dramatically reduces the energy needed to keep the lights on, as well as providing a clear, high-quality light source that offers drivers and CCTV operators excellent visibility of road conditions.

Dublin Port Tunnel before and after LED upgrade

Installers made use of the existing high-quality housings, which were all retested, and CE marked to current standards and fitted with Philips METIS 2816 LED insert trays. By reusing the existing fittings, the project was achieved with minimal material waste, contributing to a more circular economy. As the new lights were made to perfectly fit the existing fittings, installation could be completed with minimal disruption to road users. Installers worked during late night and early morning hours over five weeks, with each lantern taking just five minutes to strip out and replace. Reusing materials also kept the project’s capital expense to a minimum, saving an estimated €3 million (£2.6 million) compared to a new installation.

We are delighted to have worked with Signify on this project. The replacement of the original SON lamps with LED inserts is a huge step towards reducing the carbon emissions, energy consumption and future maintenance of the Dublin Port Tunnel, while also improving overall lighting and power quality.’’

Patrick O’Hanlon

Senior Engineer at TII

Sean Campbell, Key Account Manager- Road Lighting, Signify Ireland, “Dublin Port Tunnel is unique in Ireland and high traffic flows from the port of Dublin. Working with the customer and assessing the balance of maintenance costing along with energy prices on the rise, our R&D team successfully developed and tested a product that was cost effective and energy efficient.

Collaborating with the customer who trusts Signify to deliver on a circular economy project that reduces energy consumption while increasing the power factor has been a real pleasure.’’

Sean Campbell

Key Account Manager - Road Lighting, Signify Ireland

Dermot Deely, Managing Director, Signify Ireland said “With public lighting accounting for 24% of Dublin Council’s energy expenditure, energy efficiency projects like this one can make an enormous positive impact.

Through a relatively simple upgrade, we’ve been able to improve light quality, cost, maintenance, and sustainability for Dublin Port Tunnel. We are particularly proud to have supported these environmental goals while giving a second life to many of the materials that were already in place.’’

Dermot Deely

Managing Director, Signify Ireland

Learn more about the impact of switching to LED on Signify’s website.

Bold climate action is needed, and it’s needed now. Signify’s Green Switch provides many ways to quickly and conveniently participate in the UK's ten point plan for a green industrial revolution and in all five of the EU Green Deal’s flagship initiatives. Signify has created the Green Switch programme so that you can take action without delay. LED and connected lighting offer one of the simplest and most often overlooked paths to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Not only that, but IoT capabilities built on top of the connected lighting infrastructure can help make the smart future a reality today, spurring job creation and driving prosperity.

¹Data presented here is a simulation within the framework of the Green Switch conventional light point conversion model, which is a program run by Signify to help its customers accelerate the switch to energy-efficient lighting products, systems and services. All figures and data presented here are illustrative and based on forecasts and assumptions.

For further information, please contact:

Nikita Mahajan

Signify – UK&I PR

E-mail: nikita.mahajan@signify.com

Media Assets

Images

Dublin Port Tunnel LED Upgrade 1

Dublin Port Tunnel LED Upgrade 2

Dublin Port Tunnel LED Upgrade 3

About Signify

Signify (Euronext: LIGHT) i

Signify (Euronext: LIGHT) is the world leader in lighting for professionals and consumers. We proudly bring to market the world’s best lighting brands, from Signify, Philips, Philips Hue, Signify Interact, Signify Dynalite, Color Kinetics and many more. Our advanced products connected systems and services unlock the extraordinary potential of light for brighter lives and a better world. In 2025, we had sales of EUR 5.8 billion, approximately 27,000 employees, and a presence in over 70 markets. We are in the Dow Jones Best-in-Class World Index , earned a CDP ‘A’ score for climate performance and transparency and hold the EcoVadis Platinum rating.

News and updates from Signify can be found in the Newsroom, on LinkedIn and Instagram. Information for investors is located on the Investor Relations page.

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