To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment his Department has made of the (a) financial and (b) environmental effects of introducing central monitoring systems for streetlights. (250762)

[holding answer 26 January 2009]: We have made no assessment of the financial and environmental effects of introducing central monitoring systems (CMS) for street lights.

However, Ofgem’s open letter, issued in April 2008, sought views regarding whether it should seek to facilitate the development of CMS, acknowledging that some types of CMS could

“yield significant environmental and economic benefits..”

Although there was substantial stakeholder engagement with the consultation, there was no clear consensus on whether there was a need for the changes proposed. Ofgem is currently considering the way forward.