Public lighting
We’re improving the safety and security of local communities through the supply, installation and maintenance of more than 240,000 pedestrian and street lights across the state. We are actively working to upgrade existing public lighting with energy-efficient LEDs.
SA Power Networks provides a range of convenient services for local councils, developers and the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT). Councils and the State Government are the authorising body for approving any changes and/or additional lighting.
We’re currently trialling smart lighting solutions and enabling a platform to encourage smart cities, and improve outage management response times, performance diagnostics and additional features such as environmental monitoring.
Street light connection service
DIT, Councils and Developers can apply for new street lighting to be connected to our network and will need to provide the following information to complete the application:
- Valid contractor's license number
- The address of the lighting connection
- The invoice billing address
- The customer's and electrician's contact details (e.g. mobile and email address)
- Maximum demand of the installation
- The type of lighting connection you need
If you do not have all of this information or are unsure on how to obtain this information, we strongly recommend that you get in contact with your Electrical Contractor.
Faulty street light
We maintain street lighting on behalf of local councils and the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT), including the repair of faulty street lights.
A street light may stop working due to issues with the globe, luminaire, photoelectric (PE) cell, or wiring connected to the Stobie pole or column.
From 30 June 2025, ESCOSA will remove the requirement for SA Power Networks to make Guaranteed Service Level (GSL) payments for street light outages.
From 1 July 2025, the time it takes to repair faulty street lights will depend on how complex the job is:
- Simple repairs – We aim to fix these within 5 business days, no matter where the light is located (including rural and regional areas). These are usually straightforward faults, like replacing a globe or fixing wiring.
- More complex repairs – These may take up to 30 business days to complete. This applies when:
- Special traffic control plans or extra crews are needed to work safely on busy roads
- We need permission to close or access certain roads
- The problem involves underground cables or equipment
- We need to access private property to complete the repair
You can report a faulty street light by clicking the link below.
Spotted a faulty streetlight?
Community & Customer Engagement
An annual industry forum is held for local government and private industry to receive updates and information about street lighting initiatives in metropolitan Adelaide and regional areas of South Australia.
To engage on specific issues, SA Power Networks has created working groups concentrating on smart and decorative street lighting.
Further information about our Community and Customer Engagement Initiatives can be found at Talking Power – Public Lighting
Street lighting is important for public safety and security. It improves safety for pedestrians, riders and motorists by illuminating roads and footpaths, intersections, bends and traffic crossings
Councils and the State Government pay for streetlight maintenance and energy and are the authorising body for approving any changes or additional lighting. SA Power Networks manages most street lighting in South Australia on their behalf.
SA Power Networks provides lighting services such as: Faulty streetlight repairs, lighting audits and whole of life analysis, Smart lighting solutions, construction and maintenance, procurement and inventory management.
All new streetlights will use energy efficient LEDs which can significantly reduce energy consumption and reduce carbon emissions
Faults can be reported online.
While streetlights are necessary, they can be costly to run and account for approximately 30-60 per cent of Local Government's greenhouse gas emissions. The upgrade to energy efficient LED streetlights will significantly reduce your Council's energy consumption and maintenance costs, providing overall improvements to the street lighting network.
Yes, any request for additional lights will need to be directed to your local Council.
The LED replacement program is taking place predominantly on low volume traffic roadways and other outdoor public spaces dominated by pedestrians, or on request from Councils. Those also nearing end of life, fail or break will be replaced.
LED lighting is much more efficient than traditional lighting, and requires less maintenance.
In the case where a light is spilling into your property or windows, please contact your local Council for an assessment on whether the installation of a shield may be suitable. If an option can be provided to shield the light, your Council may negotiate the cost of retrofitting a shield with you.
Helpful documents
More information about our street lighting service can be found within the following documents: