CenterPoint Energy officials are lighting up new paths in West University Place as the first wave of conversions commences in the larger Streetlight Conversion Project.
Latest update
CenterPoint Energy Operations Manager Santos Calderon took the podium Oct. 26 to provide a project update to City Council—just over a year since the installation agreement was first authorized.
He shared that as of late October, nearly 200 of the 1,743 outdated streetlights in West U have been replaced with Light Emitting Diode, also known as LED, fixtures.
The newly installed bulbs are expected to improve street visibility through light direction, reduce street light outages long-term through increased lifespan and further support energy efficiency in the community, per the meeting presentation.
West U officials were prompted to execute the agreement in October 2025 after receiving notification that the streetlight bulbs currently in use throughout the city were no longer being supplied by manufacturers. Since then, the public utility company has prioritized preparations for the citywide conversion, having received the first batch of shipment materials in the past month.
The features
For years, West U has utilized High-Pressure Sodium Vapor and Metal Halide streetlights, which have been known to bathe its corridors in a warm, orange-yellow glow, according to the city website. LED differs from these types in how it emits a whiter-temperature light.
However, the technological differences between the older and newer streetlights go far beyond visual appearances, Calderon said.
Another area where the fixtures differ is in their total lifespan prior to replacement.
Information on the city website indicates that the existing streetlights have an estimated 5-year replacement time and lifespan, while LED light panels have an estimated 15-year window.
What the experts say
In the last six years, CenterPoint has conducted pilot testing of the new LED technology, leading officials to identify additional advantages of its citywide implementation, per Calderon’s presentation:
Energy efficient and environmentally friendly: 80% of the electricity used by an LED is converted to light, compared to just 10% for incandescent bulbs. LEDs also emit very little infrared radiation and contain no mercury.
Long and predictable lifespan: LEDs can last up to 100,000 hours or more
Excellent color rendering index: LED produces a “high quality” white light that allows the human eye to detect colors more effectively
Quick turn on and off: LEDs do not encounter challenges and will restart immediately following a brief power failure or inadvertent turn off, as they come on with instantaneous full brightness
Calderon said one of the only disadvantages of LED light panels is their sensitivity to heat, requiring proper heat dissipation to maintain light output and preserve the overall lifespan of the fixture.
Offering input
Council member Clay Brett was one of two officials on the dais who requested a status update on the conversion project.
He said that while many residents may enjoy increased energy savings in West U through the installation of new lighting, others may strongly prefer the visual appearance of the old streetlights.
“I think that the warm, softer yellow light is what is attractive to the residents,” Brett said. “Is there something to this particular full line of LEDS that we are subscribed for that keeps us fixed to these white lights? Or is there any variation or option out there?”
Calderon responded by stating that there are no other offerings available for these particular LED fixtures. He added that finding an alternative option that fits the lumen and wattage requirements of the Public Utility Commission of Texas—which governs CenterPoint—would pose unique challenges as well.
“These are what we offer to everybody,” Calderon said. “If one of yours goes out, you want that light repaired as soon as possible, right? So we have to keep decent stock to be able to make those repairs within a certain timeframe.”
Separately, Mayor Pro Tem John Barnes suggested that future investments be made in tree-trimming or tree management around the community to ensure that no light from the installed fixtures is obscured by overhead branches, which Mayor Susan Sample agreed with.
Keep in mind
Streetlight conversion activity is expected to span through November and December, with completion of the entire installation process slated sometime by the end of the year, according to agenda documents.
