Reducing energy consumption on Ireland's M1 through application of new standards in lighting
As operators of critical infrastructure, our responsibility is to help clients achieve and maintain the highest standards in sustainability, in line with evolving international best practice.
A recent example of this was the removal of over half of motorway public lighting on the M1 Public Private Partnership route between Drogheda and Dundalk, on Ireland's North Eastern seaboard. The motorway is operated by North-Link (part of Egis) on behalf of the concessionaire CRG and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).
This 53 km stretch of motorway has 11 junctions and, when constructed, was fitted with more than 2,010 lighting lanterns in line with standards at the time of its construction in 1993. Since then, requirements have changed as part of the drive to reduce emissions from energy consumption, and a reassessment of the need for lighting levels at junctions.
In August 2022, TII published the Design for Road Lighting for the National Road Network, which set new national standards. In response, lighting was progressively switched off and removed from the M1 in 2023 and 2024. Importantly, this has had no negative impact on road safety, with no increase in collisions or accidents.
The timing was significant. Both 2022 and 2023 saw a global energy crisis, underscoring the urgent need to reduce energy consumption wherever possible.
Egis is committed to supporting clients and government in reducing emissions from the operation of national infrastructure. Ireland’s Climate Action Plan 2025 sets an ambitious target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030, relative to 2018 levels, and achieving climate neutrality by 2050. In line with this, TII’s Climate Action Roadmap sets clear goals: a 73% reduction in emissions from energy use and a 50% improvement in energy efficiency by 2030.
On the ground, removing a total of 1,031 lighting units from the M1 has been a complex and specialist task. Many of the lanterns were mounted on tall steel masts, some towering over 30 metres high. Their safe removal required experienced teams using specialist cranes and hoists to dismantle, lower and transport each mast off site. Recycling played a central role, with many of the poles repurposed—including some finding a new life as supports for lighting at local GAA clubs.
Today, the M1 continues to meet the required safety and lighting standards, but with a significantly reduced environmental footprint. Total annual carbon savings, in the form of reduced emissions from energy consumption have been calculated to be 332kg Co2 since the project commenced in 2023.
This project demonstrates how infrastructure operators can align with national and sectoral climate goals, cutting energy use, lowering emissions, and making practical contributions to sustainability, all while maintaining safety for road users.