LED systems play key role in 2010 World Cup

In order to offset the significant carbon footprint of the 2010 World Cup, South African authorities have committed to a plan of energy efficiency and environmental protection, at the centre of which are LED technologies and systems.

The World Cup is set to generate significant volumes of greenhouse gases, partly because the venues are significant distances apart, resulting in emissions from vehicles as the teams travel to face one another.

A variety of green initiatives are being championed by the South African government with the help of LED manufacturers including OSRAM and Lemnis Lighting. The firms have supplied the LED systems that will illuminate the various host stadia in addition to keeping the surrounding areas well lit as night falls.

The initiatives have gained the support of the UN’s Environment Programme and nearly �700,000 has been provided by the Global Environment Facility in order to ensure that of the nine host cities, six are home to green, environmentally friendly projects that will help to render the impact of the 2010 World Cup rather less severe.

In addition to using LED systems to reduce emissions, the authorities will be using alternative energy sources to power many of the events, which will include making use of solar power, which is of course abundant in South Africa.

LED systems will be installed across South African cities, providing light in hotels, offices and on the street. Rural areas which would normally struggle with mains electricity supply will also benefit from LED lighting projects which do not require the high levels of energy associated with traditional lighting.

Perhaps the most visible use of LEDs at the 2010 World Cup is at the stadium in Durban, where the famous arch that spans the sky above the pitch is illuminated by a reported 12,000 individual LEDs.