KLED
Opportunity
For decades, the people of Saint Lucia walked streets lit by dim, orange-tinted lamps. The island’s 22,000 high-pressure sodium lights were outdated, expensive to run, and prone to failure. Maintaining them drained public resources, while electricity costs, among the highest in the world, placed an added burden on the government.
But the challenge went beyond lighting. Authorities wanted safer streets, not only by illuminating communities but also by deploying a network of CCTV cameras to deter crime, monitor traffic, and improve response times in emergencies. Together, these needs presented an opportunity: to rethink how public infrastructure could be modernized in a way that was sustainable, resilient, and people-centered.
KLED Group, founded in Ireland in 2015, brought a bold vision for energy efficiency and sustainability to the Caribbean. With a proven track record in LED lighting projects across Europe and the region, and a globally distributed team spanning Saint Lucia, China, Ireland, Italy, and the UK, KLED combined technical expertise with local presence to deliver on an ambitious national initiative. In October 2019, the Government of Saint Lucia and KLED signed a landmark public-private partnership. The commitment was bold: replace nearly 24,000 sodium lamps with new energy-efficient LEDs and install up to 970 CCTV cameras in more than 300 locations across the island.
Approach
Transforming this vision into reality required more than technical skill. It needed creative financing and strong partnerships. That’s where CIFI stepped in. As a specialist in sustainable infrastructure financing in Latin America and the Caribbean, CIFI arranged a financial package that combined a USD 7.5 million senior loan and a USD 1.1 million subordinated loan, covering most of the project’s USD 10.3 million cost. This tailored structure gave confidence to both investors and the government, ensuring the project could move forward on a solid financial foundation.
To provide extra stability, the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) offered guarantees protecting against risks like expropriation or breach of contract. Meanwhile, KLED’s revenue stream was tied to the very savings the project would create. By cutting electricity use, the government could pay KLED without straining its budget, making the project self-sustaining.
Equally important was ensuring local participation. KLED partnered with Saint Lucian companies Island Wide Electrical and K&B Tech Solution to carry out the installation work. This not only ensured high-quality delivery but also generated jobs, skills, and pride within the community.
The project was built with responsibility at its core. Sodium lamps were safely collected and disposed of, minimizing environmental risks. Installation leveraged existing infrastructure like streetlight poles and fiber networks to reduce disruption. KLED also implemented biodiversity measures and developed a social and environmental management system in line with international standards.
Outcome
The results are now visible every night across Saint Lucia. Streets, towns, and highways are brighter, safer, and more welcoming. LED lights consume about 70% less energy than sodium lamps, saving over 6.8 gigawatt-hours each year. That translates into a reduction of approximately 5,000 tons of CO₂ emissions and less reliance on imported oil, directly supporting Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13: Climate Action.
The CCTV cameras add another layer of impact. Positioned in nearly every community, they support law enforcement, improve traffic management, and contribute to a sense of safety for residents and visitors alike. Built with resilience in mind, the system can withstand hurricanes and other natural shocks, a crucial feature for a small island nation vulnerable to climate change, and a clear contribution to SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
What makes this project particularly inspiring is how it blends innovation with inclusion. By using energy savings to fund the initiative, Saint Lucia has managed to modernize critical infrastructure without adding financial strain. By hiring local firms and training local staff, the project has built capacity and created jobs on the island, advancing SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and promoting SDG 5: Gender Equality through inclusive hiring practices.
Today, the streets of Saint Lucia reflect a renewed sense of safety and optimism. This transformation is the result of a thoughtful partnership between KLED, CIFI, and the Government of Saint Lucia, showing what’s possible when technology, smart financing, and community priorities are aligned. By going beyond the installation of new streetlights and cameras, this collaboration has fostered resilience and inclusion, demonstrating how sustainable infrastructure can improve everyday life while contributing meaningfully to global development goals.
24 mil
Luminarias LED de alta eficiencia
970
Cámaras de seguridad CCTV
5 mil tCO2e
Emisiones evitadas por año
