Modernizing public lighting and transport infrastructure has become a key focus of municipal energy policy in Spain. In recent months, several cities and local governments have launched ambitious projects to replace conventional streetlights with LED technology, aiming to reduce electricity consumption and improve lighting quality in public spaces and landmark buildings.
Data from various city councils and public bodies points to a clear trend: energy efficiency in Spain is no longer seen merely as an environmental obligation, but as an investment that shortens payback periods and improves public perception of urban services. LED technology, with its lower energy consumption and long lifespan , is the driving force behind these transformations.
Metrovalencia is making progress in the renovation of its underground stations
Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana (FGV) has been implementing a plan since August 2024 to replace approximately 14.810 light fixtures in Metrovalencia's underground stations. This project, which will continue until July 2027, involves replacing the old fluorescent, metal halide, and incandescent lighting systems with LED technology in platforms, tunnels, station concourses, ticket offices, and overpasses. The estimated energy savings reach 4.963.801,71 kWh annually , which is equivalent to avoiding approximately 893 tons of CO₂ emissions, based on the average impact of the Spanish electricity system.
The project, which is now past its halfway point, also includes rewiring the new light fixtures to eliminate the ballasts, devices that were a frequent source of failure in the old installations. This technical improvement not only reduces energy consumption but also decreases maintenance and unexpected breakdowns . In economic terms, the public entity is expected to save approximately €476.524,97 annually.
The work is being carried out under the contract for the maintenance of low-voltage electrical systems in underground stations, with the exception of the three stations on Line 10 and the Empalme station, which already had LED technology. This initiative is part of FGV's 2026-2030 Action Plan , which mobilizes a total investment of €839 million to modernize both Metrovalencia and the Alicante Tram.
Seville renews four out of every ten streetlights and reaches 75% LED
The Seville City Council, through its Urban Planning and Environment Department, has invested €17.549.925,27 since May 2023 to replace 31.361 streetlights throughout the city. According to data provided by the City Council, this initiative has resulted in an average energy saving of 66% , and LED technology now accounts for 75% of Seville's total public lighting.
The work involved removing obsolete discharge lamps, characterized by their yellow light and higher energy consumption, and replacing them with new, high-efficiency LED fixtures with a color temperature of 3.000 Kelvin. This warm white light improves color rendering and visual comfort, enhancing road and pedestrian safety. The Delegate for Urban Planning and the Environment, Juan de la Rosa, emphasized that “this is not just about saving energy and money, but about ensuring safer and more comfortable public spaces .”
In addition to the replacements, underground equipotential bonding networks have been installed on the supports, and the command and control centers have been upgraded. Approximately 350 obsolete supports have also been replaced with new galvanized and painted components. Since José Luis Sanz became Mayor, 41% of the total number of streetlights have been replaced, and the City Council plans to continue these efforts until the entire lighting system has been renovated.
La Torre, Forn d'Alcedo and Castellar-l'Oliveral debut new lighting after the DANA storm
The Valencia City Council has launched a project to renew the public lighting in three southern districts affected by the DANA storm of autumn 2024. The intervention, with a budget of 1.489.957,01 euros, includes the installation of 1.045 new LED light points , distributed between La Torre (250), Forn d'Alcedo (160) and Castellar-l'Oliveral (630).
The acting mayor and councilor for Central Technical Services, Julia Climent, visited the construction site and explained that the project "fulfills the City Council's commitment to restoring and improving public services in the outlying districts affected by the storm." The new streetlights not only replace the damaged ones but also incorporate remote management systems to adjust their operation remotely , optimizing energy consumption and providing more uniform lighting.
The work has been divided into several lots. In La Torre, the company Imesapi is carrying out the work for €389.529,50, while in Forn d'Alcedo, the same firm is involved for €232.165,92. Castellar-l'Oliveral accounts for nearly 60% of the new lighting, with an investment of €868.261,59 distributed across three lots, undertaken by Etralux and Sociedad Ibérica de Construcciones Eléctricas.
Fustiñana completes its municipal network with LED technology
In the Navarrese town of Fustiñana, the City Council has completed a project, begun in 2023, to completely renovate the public lighting. The project was carried out in four phases, with a total investment of €168.179,43 including VAT , and has allowed for the replacement of old sodium vapor and metal halide lamps with high-efficiency LED fixtures on streets such as Pablo Sarasate, Sancho Abarca, and Carlos III el Noble.
According to the technical specifications, the renovation will prevent the emission of more than 26 tons of CO₂ annually, and energy savings range from 25% to 49% depending on the phase. The new luminaires incorporate monitoring and flow regulation systems for off-peak hours , further increasing the actual savings each night. They are also designed to eliminate upward light and reduce light pollution.
The mayor of Fustiñana, Sergio Vitas, emphasized that “the streets are better lit, residents notice it, and the City Council also sees the savings on the electricity bill.” According to Vitas, the investment will pay for itself in just a few years thanks to lower consumption and reduced maintenance costs.
Toledo illuminates its Provincial Palace with art and LED color
The Toledo Provincial Council has unveiled a new artistic lighting system at its Provincial Palace, comprised of 262 RGBW LED lights that allow for programmed color scenes to be displayed for commemorations and social causes. The project, carried out by Casa Álvarez between April and July, included 243 linear projectors, 19 floodlights, and two image projectors with multicolored glass gobos.
The small light fixtures have been integrated into the window sills and turret roofs, with masking slats painted the same color as the façade. The project, which included archaeological monitoring due to the building's status as a Cultural Heritage Site, allows the building to be illuminated in purple for International Women's Day, blue for Autism Awareness Day, or green for Earth Day , among other possibilities.
The president of the Provincial Council, Concepción Cedillo, inaugurated the system accompanied by the mayor of Toledo, Carlos Velázquez. The new lighting transforms light into a tool for communication and raising awareness, while also highlighting the architectural value of the Palace and integrating it into the nighttime chromatics of the regional capital.
The shift to LED lighting continues, and all projects share the same diagnosis: efficient lighting is one of the fastest ways to reduce electricity bills, cut emissions, and improve the quality of urban life. The savings figures, payback periods, and direct impact on public spaces make this technology a key tool for the energy transition at the local level.
