Private partner sought for public lighting system

The Municipality of Žabalj, located in Serbia’s north, published an invitation for bids in an open procedure for a public–private partnership (PPP). The local authority will accept offers until May 30 from private entities for the reconstruction, rationalization and maintenance of public lighting. The preparatory period and implementation cannot exceed a total of six months and the guarantee cannot last longer than 13 years after that, the documentation said.

The procurement, without elements of a concession, is for measures aimed at efficient use of energy, a corresponding reduction in carbon dioxide emissions and a cut of operational costs. The main criterion is the lowest price and the decision will be made within 25 days from the opening of bids, the municipality said.

The contract is for 2,169 lights with a total capacity of 336 kW (or 403 kW with ballast) in 117 streets in four settlements. The project includes 1,442 mercury vapor lamps of 125 W and 727 sodium units. LED lights need to have life span of at least 60,000 hours without decreasing to less than 80% of the initial output (L80) or 80,000 hours with remaining at at least 70% of flux (L70).