SECO Energy Launches Multi-Year LED Lighting Conversion Across Service Territory

SECO Energy is entering the early phases of a multi-year initiative to modernize outdoor area lighting across its seven-county service area by replacing existing High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) fixtures with advanced Light-Emitting Diode (LED) technology.  

The phased project will enhance lighting infrastructure across residential communities, municipalities, commercial areas, and public spaces. Deployment is expected to continue over the next one to three years.  

Initial work will focus on several commonly used fixture styles, including shoebox, cobra head, Savannah and flood-style fixtures. Acorn and colonial fixtures, along with additional fixture types, will be converted during later phases of the project. 

The LED fixtures selected for installation are engineered to provide similar lumen output to existing HPS fixtures while improving light distribution and visibility at ground level. Unlike HPS area lighting, LED technology uses precision optics to direct light more effectively onto roadways, sidewalks and common areas, improving ground-level visibility while reducing wasted uplight. The LEDs selected for this installation also produce a more natural light that enhances color recognition and visual clarity compared to the yellow-orange glow commonly associated with HPS lighting. 

As the system-wide conversion progresses, Members will benefit from improved nighttime visibility, enhanced color recognition and more uniform lighting.  The transition will improve safety and reliability while improving high-quality illumination throughout the communities SECO serves.  

“We maintain more than 60,000 outdoor lights across our system,” said Curtis Wynn, SECO Energy’s Chief Executive Officer. “This long-term investment allows SECO to modernize critical infrastructure with lighting technology that improves visibility, enhances reliability and supports the evolving needs of the communities we serve.” 

For decades, HPS lighting served as the industry standard for outdoor illumination. Today, advances in lighting technology have made LED fixtures the preferred choice for many utilities because of their improved light quality, enhanced visibility, and overall performance.   

“The system-wide upgrade is a win for both the cooperative and the communities we serve,” Wynn said. “Members will notice improved visibility and lighting quality in the areas where these fixtures are installed.” 

Affected cities, counties, homeowners' associations, community development districts and Members will receive advance notification before planned work begins in their areas. All field personnel and contractor vehicles involved in the project will be clearly identified with an authorized SECO Energy contractor logo, and employees will carry company-issued identification. 

SECO will continue to address lighting outages reported through its existing light outage reporting process throughout the conversion project. When practical, unplanned lighting repairs may be coordinated with scheduled LED lighting replacement activities to streamline field operations and maximize project efficiency. 

The system-wide transition to LED area lighting reflects SECO Energy’s ongoing commitment to investing in reliable infrastructure and delivering exceptional service to the communities it serves. Members with questions about the lighting upgrade program may contact Member Services. 

Image

Photo caption: LED Lighting in The Villages, Florida