La LED lighting has become a key element of municipal energy efficiency policies in Spain. More and more city councils are replacing traditional lighting with low-consumption technology, not only to reduce electricity bills, but also to improve safety, visual quality and sustainability.
In parallel, the Scientific research is advancing in the development of new materials which improve the color stability and performance of LEDs, reinforcing this technology as a priority option for public lighting, sports facilities and urban spaces with high lighting demands.
Durango: massive renovation of outdoor lighting with LED
In Durango, the nightscape is changing rapidly thanks to a contract worth more than 5,6 million euros (excluding VAT) awarded to Emartin Facilities SA for comprehensive maintenance and energy management of the outdoor lighting over the next ten years. The project focuses on the replacement of 3.062 conventional luminaires replaced with high-efficiency LED equipmentThis allows for reduced consumption and improved light uniformity.
The improvements are already especially visible in neighborhoods like Tabira and San Fausto, where poorly lit areas have been eliminated And a greater intensity and quality of light is noticeable at night. Residential and peri-urban neighborhoods, which previously suffered from dimly lit areas, now have a more homogeneous lighting standard, designed for both pedestrians and vehicular traffic.
The deployment is not limited to changing the light fixtures. The plan includes the protection and renewal of the support infrastructureAnti-rust painting work has been planned for some 2.000 metal columns to extend their useful life, as well as the replacement of some 350 deteriorated columns with new polyester poles, which are more resistant and adapted to current needs.
The intervention is organized in several phases. In the first stageThe project, now largely complete, has focused on neighborhoods such as Tabira, Aliendalde, and Aramotz, where a noticeable improvement in nighttime visibility and safety is evident. second phase, underway between January and April 2026The works have been extended to areas such as San Fausto, Landako or Muruetatorre, expanding the scope of the program.
The next step will be the Renovation of the Historic Quarter and ErretentxuThe project, planned between May and July, will install LED streetlights in these areas. These lights are designed to respect the aesthetics of the existing environment while incorporating the same technology as the rest of the municipality. The aim is to strike a balance between heritage preservation and modernization of the street lighting.
Monzón: More than 200 new LED streetlights and savings of nearly 65%
The Monzón City Council is also making progress in the progressive transformation of public lighting to LED technologyIn this new phase, more than 200 streetlights are being replaced on main roads such as Almunia Avenue and the Rambla del Cinca Medio, and the work will continue on a dozen additional streets.
The supply of the new light fixtures is the responsibility of Electrical Supplies Huescawith a contract worth around 23.316 euros. The company not only improved the bid price, but also provided a greater number of lighting points than initially planned in the tender specifications, allowing for coverage of more sections of track than originally envisioned.
The works extend along busy roads and residential areas: From the roundabout at the intersection of Almunia Avenue and Fonz Avenue, Pueyo Avenue, Deportes Street, Rambla del Cinca Medio, the old town and various streets such as Navarra, Gerona or SariñenaAmong others. The criteria followed by the council prioritizes areas with older streetlights and higher energy consumption, many of which have poor lighting.
According to the mayor, Isaac Claver, the municipality has been experiencing a phased LED upgrade planWith a cumulative investment of approximately €300.000 across all neighborhoods, as well as in the outlying districts of Selgua and Conchel, this effort has resulted in a approximate energy savings of 65%, with the consequent reduction in the municipal electricity bill and less need for replacement by the LED bulb lifespan.
Neighborhoods like Selgua, Conchel, the old town and La Carrasca now have 100% LED lightingMeanwhile, in El Palomar, the new investment will leave the area practically complete. In the other neighborhoods, the city council is working on the areas where the lighting was most deficient, with the aim of standardizing the light level throughout the city.
Vélez-Málaga: the Torre del Mar seafront is updated with 744 LED lights
On the Malaga coast, the Vélez-Málaga City Council has announced a comprehensive renovation of the lighting on the Torre del Mar seafront promenadea busy area frequented by both residents and tourists. The project includes the replacement of 744 LED luminaires, with the expectation of reducing energy consumption by more than 61%.
According to municipal data, this decrease in consumption translates into an estimated cost saving of around 127 euros per dayThis amounts to more than €43.300 per year. The project is financed with European funds within the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, and has a budget of 319.432 euros and an execution period of about two months.
The new lights will be distributed throughout different areas of the promenade and its immediate surroundings. Along the main promenade, 81 light points will be installed next to the bike lane and 113 on the opposite side.In addition, 182 lights will be installed in green areas and interior passages, 93 along the road parallel to the seafront promenade and 162 for beach lighting, including projectors for the lighthouse playground.
Action will also be taken in the opposite sidewalk of the roadThe project includes 26 streetlights between Avenida Toré Toré and Paseo de Larios, and five more between Calle La Arena and the area around the CEIP Antonio Checa school. Additional lighting has been installed on adjacent streets, such as three lights on Calle Yunquera and seven on Calle Río Seco, extending the improvements to the entire coastal area.
The winning company has also incorporated several additional improvements28 streetlights will be installed along Avenida Andalucía between Avenida Victoria Kent and the Race roundabout, 16 more from that roundabout to the entrance of the Caleta de Vélez port, and another 26 in the area around Calle Playa Marina and the nearby parking lot. The city council considers this project a crucial step in improving safety, energy efficiency, and the overall appearance of the waterfront.
León: LED lighting for avenues, promenades and high-traffic areas
The León City Council is also continuing with its strategy of Modernization of public lighting using LEDswith special attention to roads with heavy traffic and high-traffic areas. One of the projects underway is the installation of new lighting in the Faculty Avenue, with an investment of 312.420 euros carried out by the company Sistelec Iván SL
This has been carried out a complete renovation of the lighting systemThis includes the installation of 46 new four-meter-high columns for pedestrian traffic, reinforced with two ten-meter-high double-arm columns to cover both the roadway and sidewalks. The aim is to provide more uniform and safer visibility. light regulators in the most problematic sections.
The council has extended the improvement to three other key points in the cityThe Paseo de la Condesa, the Polígono X industrial park, and the parking lot of the Reino de León Municipal Stadium have all been illuminated. Twenty four-meter-high columns have been installed along the Paseo de la Condesa, restoring quality lighting to this pedestrian and leisure area.
In Polygon X, the action has focused on the Moisés de León streetThe old streetlights have been replaced with 15 new LED units between Bordadores and José María Pereda streets. This is a residential area where the improved lighting directly impacts the sense of security among residents and the ease of daily commutes.
On parking lot of the Reino de León Municipal Stadium Visibility has been enhanced with the installation of six nine-meter galvanized steel poles equipped with high-powered projectors. This measure is especially important during large events, facilitating access to and from the venue and reducing shaded areas in the parking lot.
The next planned interventions will be directed at Granados Street, the El Ejido neighborhood (San Pedro Street), the area around the Cathedral (Canela Street) and the San Marcos bowling alleyAll these actions pursue a dual purpose: to increase energy efficiency in line with European sustainability objectives and to respond to specific lighting needs in points considered critical.
Sports facilities: LEDs to improve visibility and reduce consumption
The modernization of lighting is not only focusing on streets and squares. Numerous municipal sports complexes are migrating to LED systems To ensure more uniform visibility, reduce costs, and offer better playing conditions. A clear example is pitch 1 at the La Granja Sports Complex in Jerez, where a specific intervention has recently been carried out.
The City Council has launched a project to Replacement of traditional spotlights with 12 LED lights of 1.000 and 1.500 WThe project, with an investment of around €18.014, was carried out by Javier Pérez, SA, a Jerez-based company specializing in medium and low voltage installations and work at height, given the complexity of this type of operation.
The installation of the new system has meant a noticeable improvement in the quality of the lighting on the playing fieldThe light is now more uniform, shadow areas have been reduced, and there is a better contrast and depth, factors that directly influence sports practice, especially in disciplines such as football.
To fine-tune the performance of each spotlight, the technicians have used high-precision laser measurement systems y LED drivers which allow for precise adjustment of the tilt and orientation of the luminaires. This calibration phase, carried out at night, followed the manufacturer's specifications in detail to achieve a homogeneous distribution of light without glare.
Before starting the works, a detailed preliminary study of the siteThis included considering field dimensions, access, and the selection of the most suitable lifting equipment. Throughout the process, attention was paid to compliance with occupational risk prevention regulations, which are especially relevant for work at heights. With this project, the city council takes another step in improving its sports facilities based on efficiency and sustainability criteria.
The science behind LED lighting: color stability and new generations of phosphors
While municipalities are renewing their streetlights, the scientific community is working on perfecting the materials that make LED lighting possibleOne of the key challenges is color stability (see more about LED colors): that the light maintains the same color tone even if the temperature of the device increases, something common in compact or high-power luminaires.
A team of Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of MatterA researcher from the Chinese Academy of Sciences recently published a study in the journal Materials Futures that helps clarify why some phosphors used in LEDs change color with temperature. This phenomenon, known as heat-induced emission peak shift (HIEPS)This caused certain materials to shift their emission towards warmer or cooler tones when heated, without the classic models explaining these differences well.
The researchers have analyzed the family of green and yellow phosphors in detail. M₂SiO₄:Eu²⁺ (where M can be Sr, Ba or Ca)which exhibit opposite thermal responses despite having very similar crystal structures. Using first-principles calculations and the frozen phonon method, they have studied how the electronic states of the europium ion interact with the vibrations of the crystal lattice.
The study concludes that the determining factor is a highly localized coupling between the emitting electrons (of the Eu²⁺ ion) and specific vibrational modes of the crystalline environment. As the temperature increases, the ion does not vibrate uniformly in all directions, but rather follows energetically favorable patterns that distort the orbital involved in light emission.
The key lies in the variation of the energy difference between the excited state Eu-5d and the ground state Eu-4fA parameter called Δf-d acts as a direct descriptor of the emission color. When electron-phonon coupling modifies this parameter, the wavelength of the emitted light shifts in a measurable way, explaining why some compounds shift towards the red end of the spectrum and others towards the blue end when heated.
Beyond the theoretical explanation, this approach opens the door to a Predictive design of new thermally stable phosphorsThrough advanced simulations, it is possible to anticipate the behavior of a material before synthesizing it, optimizing color stability, luminous efficacy, and suitability for each application. This is especially relevant for LED lighting for sports, architectural projectors, or horticulturewhere the spectrum and color constancy directly influence performance.
The model also shows promise for display technologies such as micro-LED or high dynamic range displayswhich require very precise color control. The team plans to extend this theoretical framework to phosphors activated with other ions such as Ce³⁺ or Tb³⁺, with the aim of establishing quantitative design rules applicable to a wide range of luminescent compositions.
Overall, the combination of municipal projects for the renovation of street lighting and scientific advances in LED materials It is creating a scenario in which cities can reduce consumption, improve safety and offer more comfortable lighting, while technology evolves towards increasingly efficient, stable solutions adapted to the needs of European urban and sports spaces.
