Dutch Town Is World’s First to Install Bat-friendly LED Street Lights

July 10, 2018

Rare bats in the Dutch town of Zuidhoek-Nieuwkoop can now go about their nocturnal business undisturbed courtesy of new connected LED street lights from Signify. The street lights use a special light recipe that is perceived by bats as darkness, but which provides enough illumination for residents, helping make the roads and pavements safer while being highly energy efficient.

Developing the recipe involved extensive research by Signify, the University of Wageningen, and NGOs active in this field of conservation. The lights emit a red colour and use a wavelength that doesn’t interfere with a bat’s internal compass. Normal street lights can affect a bat’s flight and overall nighttime behavior, as well as their insect prey, which tend to congregate around the lights.

Nieuwkoop is the first town in the world to use this type of smart LED street light. “When developing our unique housing program, our goal was to make the project as sustainable as possible while preserving our local bat species with minimal impact to their habitat,” explains Guus Elkhuizen a member of Nieuwkoop’s City Council. “We’ve managed to do this and kept our carbon footprint and energy consumption to a minimum.”

Zuidhoek-Nieuwkoop is home to many rare and vulnerable animal and plant specs. The town and its surrounding area is part of the Natura 2000, a network of nature protection areas across Europe comprising breeding and nesting sites for rare and threatened species. In 2011, Nieuwkoop began an initiative to build 89 new houses that meet the highest sustainability standards. The innovative street lighting was a response to research that revealed the site to be an important feeding ground for some rare bat species.

To further optimize light levels, the municipality installed Signify’s Interact City connected LED lighting systems and management software. The system enables close to real-time, remote management of LED light points that together provide energy savings of up to 70% compared to conventional High Pressure Sodium (HPS) street lighting. By being connected, the system allows each light point to be controlled remotely, enabling the authorities to respond to a request from a resident to turn up or lower the brightness of the lighting outside their home and able to quickly raise the light levels in the area to aid emergency services. And when the streets are empty very late at night, the authorities can dim the lights and cut unnecessary energy use.

Signify became the new company name of Philips Lighting in May 2018.

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • Noramco-Announces-Samantha-Boernsen-as-New-Regional-Sales-Manager-Winnipeg

    Noramco Announces Samantha Boernsen as New Regional Sales Manager, Winnipeg

    Please join Noramco in welcoming Samantha Boernsen as Regional Sales Manager, Winnipeg! Samantha brings a wealth of experience in the electrical industry, with a strong focus on lighting, marketing strategy, and customer engagement. She has built her career on connecting technical expertise with real-world application, making her a trusted partner to clients and colleagues alike.… Read More…

  • July 7, 2025 - Light Years Ahead SkyView by BIOS Launches in BC with Mac’s II Agencies

    Light Years Ahead: SkyView by BIOS Launches in BC with Mac’s II Agencies

    Mac’s II Agencies is proud to represent SkyView by BIOS Lighting across British Columbia. As the first agency in BC to bring this innovative brand to market, they are excited to help launch a new chapter for SkyView—a new company rooted in cutting-edge science and committed to wellness through light. This addition to Mac’s II Agencies’ lighting… Read More…


Design

  • What You Need to Consider When Choosing Data Center Lighting

    What You Need to Consider When Choosing Data Center Lighting

    When operating a data center, the lighting syst​em is often not the most concerned part. Actually, lighting system performance directly influences whole electricity consumption and operating costs, especially in a 24-hour non-stop data center. This article will delve into the key factors to be considered when choosing data center lighting. For enterprises that are planning to… Read More…

  • Artika: 5 Advantages of Smart Lighting

    Artika: 5 Advantages of Smart Lighting

    Lighting is arguably one of the most important features of any home. Too bright, and it can be abrasive, increasing your sensitivity to light. Too dim, and it hides the unique characteristics of your home and can have adverse effects on your mood. When you design your home, the type of lighting and fixtures you… Read More…


New Products

  • RENO Lighting: Lucid Series Ambient Bi-Directional Luminaire

    RENO Lighting: Lucid Series Ambient Bi-Directional Luminaire

    The Lucid Series Bi-Directional Luminaire is an ultra-slim, contemporary light designed for performance. It provides seamless, dot-free upward and downward illumination with a 50/50 direct-indirect distribution. Its translucent lens creates an elegant, diffused glow resembling natural daylight that brings warmth to any environment.​ Designed for modern, design- forward interiors, the Lucid Bi- Directional Luminaire is… Read More…

  • Eralux: New OCEANO Outdoor Wall Sconce

    Eralux: New OCEANO Outdoor Wall Sconce

    The OCEANO outdoor sconce features an elegant design, offering up and down lighting. With IP65 weatherproofing, it’s built for durability. Its sleek, modern design and robust construction make it perfect for both aesthetic appeal and long-lasting performance in any outdoor setting. Applications: Commercial Entrances | Outdoor Landscapes | Facades | Residential Exteriors Read More…