Ratiboř

You have probably noticed at night that some of the street lights (abbreviated to VO) have started to flash. This is caused by a power supply fault. This fault occurs in lights that we purchased in 2015 and are mainly located around road sections. These are some of the first LED lights that were purchased. We have addressed this situation with the supplier, Empesort, which has been supplying us with lights for a long time, as well as repairing them and maintaining the public address system. The supplier has offered to buy back these lights, which it will use for spare parts and refurbishment, and we have also received an offer to purchase new lights with greater luminosity. The existing lamps are 90 W, the dimming system is no longer functional and they are gradually failing. The new lights are 50 W and also have a dimming function that is imperceptible to the eye but dims by 50% during the night. The higher light intensity will also be an advantage. For comparison, you can already see them in the village of Hošťálková. The total cost of the replacement is CZK 375,000 excluding VAT, from which we can deduct the resale value of the existing lights, amounting to CZK 110,400 excluding VAT.

We will therefore pay CZK 264,600 excluding VAT for the replacement. After the replacement, we will achieve annual energy savings of CZK 100,000, a two-year warranty and greater lighting intensity. Fifty street lights will be replaced. The return on investment is therefore in the order of two years.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your patience and tolerance during the night-time switch-off of public lighting as part of our energy-saving measures.

I am aware that this measure was unpleasant for many and that some citizens were angry with us for it. However, as we have managed to build several photovoltaic power plants, which now supply energy to municipal buildings, and we are preparing further sharing, we are succeeding in stabilising energy supplies. Last but not least, the modernisation of public lighting is also contributing to savings, and the council has therefore decided that from 1 October 2024, the lights will be on again throughout the night. In two years, turning off the lights at night has saved us more than CZK 400,000. Thank you for your patience.

Martin Žabčík / Mayor