Eastern Macedonia and Thrace completes LED transition with €30.9 million in projected savings
The Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (DMT) Region has completed a major energy transformation project by replacing traditional road lighting systems with LED technology across its regional road network. The initiative, implemented with an investment of approximately €12.2 million, is expected to generate nearly €30.9 million in savings by 2036.
The project involved the replacement of outdated lighting fixtures and lamps with energy-efficient LED systems across the region’s five regional units. The upgraded infrastructure provides stronger and more uniform lighting on major roads, intersections, and settlement entrances while significantly reducing electricity consumption.
According to project data, annual electricity consumption is expected to decrease from 17.92 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) to 6.28 million kWh. This represents annual energy savings of approximately 11.64 million kWh and an average reduction of 65 percent in electricity consumption across the region.
The highest energy savings are expected in the Rodopi regional unit, where annual electricity use will fall from 2.54 million kWh to 802,919 kWh, representing a 69 percent reduction. The estimated savings rate is 64 percent in Meriç, 62 percent in İskeçe, 65 percent in Kavala, and 68 percent in Drama.
The €12.2 million investment is expected to provide economic benefits of €20.9 million by 2036 through reduced energy consumption alone. In addition, the elimination of annual maintenance costs, previously reaching around €1 million, is projected to generate an additional €10 million in savings over the same period.
The total financial benefit of the LED transformation is estimated at €30.9 million by 2036.
DMT Regional Governor Hristodulos Topsidis said the completion of the project marks an important step toward a more modern, efficient, and cost-effective lighting system across the region.
“Achieving energy savings of up to 69 percent, significantly reducing operating costs, and improving road network lighting demonstrate the strong return of modern and environmentally friendly infrastructure investments. Our goal is to reduce energy costs while protecting the environment, improving citizens’ daily lives, and enhancing road safety,” Topsidis said.
The LED conversion project is considered one of the region’s largest infrastructure initiatives focused on energy efficiency and sustainable development.
