Ford Plans Big Shift to LED Plant Lighting

Ford Motor Co. estimates it will cut its annual lighting energy use by 56 million kWh next year after installing 25,000 new LED fixtures worldwide at its manufacturing facilities by the end of 2014.

Ford began the $25 million project in August and expects to continue converting its facilities over the next few years. The new fixtures will replace fluorescent and high-intensity discharge lamps.

The company notes that the LED lamps should last 15 years compared with about two for the lamps they replace. The lamps also emit far less heat and will provide brighter and more uniform light, according to Ford.