Fort McPherson (Nov 08/04) - Nights are a little brighter in two Beaufort-Delta communities, thanks to the completion of a street light conversion project.

Both Tsiigehtchic and Fort McPherson had old mercury vapour lights replaced with new high pressure sodium lights, said a spokesperson with the NWT Power Corp.

Cory Layman, NWT Power linesman in Inuvik, holds one of the new high pressure sodium lights. - Dorothy Westerman/NNSL photo

Fort McPherson had 103 of the lights replaced, while Tsiigehtchic had nine installed.

"The program started one year ago and is expected to be completed in five years," said Chris Zorica, marketing and communications officer.

"Basically what they are trying to do is to target the communities where the cost of electricity is the most expensive," Zorica said.

"We're trying to help the communities reduce their cost with energy efficiency."

Zorica said the sodium light is sharper, stronger and clearer than the mercury vapour light.

"It is a brighter light and requires less energy to make it operational. That's where the cost savings comes in," Zorica said.

"And there are less greenhouse gases being emitted into the air."

In Fort McPherson, RCMP Sgt. Cliff McKay was glad the project was completed.

"The more light the better," McKay said.

Phillip Andre, plant supervisor at the NWT Power Corp. in Tsiigehtchic, said the hamlet is a much brighter spot in the darkness of the Beaufort-Delta.

"There's no comparison to the other lights. It gives off a brightness," Andre said.

Since the conversion, Fort McPherson has seen energy consumption drop 41 per cent, for a savings of $18,000, while Tsiigehtchic has seen a savings of $3,000 and a reduced consumption of 22 per cent.

Both Sachs Harbour and Aklavik will also see new lights installed as part of this program.