A new energy-saving project for street lighting

Balearic minister of innovation and energy Priam Villalonga and Josep Gomila, representing the Council of Majorca, have signed an agreement for an energy saving programme, which will lead to savings of up to 20 per cent in public lighting. Villalonga said that the programme will cost 100 million pesetas. The government and Council of Majorca will provide 15 million pesetas each and the balance will be paid by the town and village councils which benefit from the scheme. The programme involves changing lamps and the time switches controlling the street lights and installing condensers. The new lights will also cause less pollution. The Council of Majorca will choose the town councils involved, while the ministry will provide technical advice. According to a report compiled by the Catalan Polytechnic University, it is possible to save between 15 and 20 per cent of current energy consumption in the short term by adopting these measures. This would represent a saving of 90 million pesetas a year. This is part of the government's strategy to promote saving, not just in energy, but also in water consumption and rubbish.