The Millennium Stadium has joined forces with SWALEC to complete a major LED lighting project to further reduce energy consumption at the home of Welsh sport.

Over 450 LED light fittings have been installed to replace the old florescent lighting at the venue which achieved the British Standard for the sustainable management of events ahead of any UK stadia.

The project offers the greatest energy savings of any lighting source on the market and is expected to reduce energy consumption by 70%, when the stadium lights up the LEDs for the first time in the New Year.

The launch of the latest lighting solution is a key factor for the sustainable development, managed by Facilities Manager Darren Crossman, at the Millennium Stadium.

“No other lighting solution on the market reduces energy consumption and its associated costs like LEDs and we are delighted to be working with SWALEC to deliver the best route for sustainable development at the Millennium Stadium,” said Mr Crossman.  

“The new and improved system has the advantages of providing the finest lighting quality with all the benefits of being environmentally safe and recyclable and this is exactly the kind of changes we need to be making to fulfil our goals for sustainability.”

From cost savings to a lower carbon footprint, Millennium Stadium Manager Gerry Toms has also expressed this enthusiasm for the project. He added: “While there is always the initial cost attached to a project of this scale to consider, the LED installation promises a range of benefits for the future in reducing our carbon footprint and lowering the cost of lighting the stadium.

“The project will also help to ensure that our twelve year old stadium continues to age gracefully, with the vibrant lighting providing a brighter and colourful ambience for the one million plus visitors to Wales’ national stadium each year.”   

Joanne Horrigan, National Development Manager for SSE said: “This exciting flagship project demonstrates that sustainable energy savings can be achieved with an impressive return on investment.  Through commitment from the WRU and the strength of SSE Contracting, (SSE is the parent company of the energy supply brand SWALEC) who have been instrumental in the delivery of this project, the team has committed to supplying and installing  bespoke cutting edge technology that will reduce the stadium’s energy consumption by up to 70% .

"The latest L.E.D lighting system represents a significant improvement and furthermore due to the new lighting and it’s longevity, the ongoing maintenance and replacement needs will substantially reduce costs for the stadium.

“SWALEC the national community partner of the WRU and Millennium stadium is committed to progressing further initiatives at the home of Welsh rugby and hope to identify  and implement a range of  alternative energy efficient measures that will, reduce consumption further”.

The Millennium Stadium will continue to work with SWALEC to explore sustainable opportunities for the future.