Benidorm approves project to upgrade the lighting on the Castell cliff with a budget of 180,000 euros

The Local Governing Board of Benidorm City Council has approved the project to renovate the decorative lighting of Balcón del Mediterráneo cliff, with a budget of €179,987.56. This approval gives the green light to the necessary administrative procedures for carrying out the actions planned in the project.

This project is financed with Next Generation EU funds, within the framework of the 2022 Destination Tourism Sustainability Plan, specifically under Action 12: Beautification of the Old Town: ‘Renovation of the Decorative Lighting of the Balcón del Mediterráneo Cliff’.

The project aims to comprehensively renovate the decorative lighting system of the Castell cliff “by improving the existing luminaires on the west face and replacing the projectors on the east face with new, high-efficiency RGBW LED units,” explained Francis Muñoz, Councillor for Urban Scene. The new lighting will feature specialised optics, marine-grade treatment, and minimal intrusive design. Furthermore, the project will incorporate a remote management system "that allows for the control, regulation, and remote monitoring of the installation, thus ensuring efficient, flexible, and sustainable management of the lighting while maintaining the iconic character of the site and minimising the impact on the marine environment and the night sky."

On the eastern face, different beam patterns are planned, depending on the placement and the area to be illuminated. To facilitate installation and minimise disruption to the environment, the projectors will be installed at the top of the cliff, pointing towards specific areas previously studied, thus avoiding direct projection towards the sea or the night sky.

Muñoz pointed out that the current ornamental lighting system is "significantly obsolete" and has numerous non-functioning light points, especially on the eastern face of the cliff. "This negatively affects the quality of the surrounding lighting and its proper enhancement," the councillor explained. Therefore, in order to improve energy efficiency, reduce light pollution, and enhance the tourist appeal of the old town, the City Council has commissioned this project, which aligns with the sustainability, green transition, and urban space improvement objectives defined in the 2022 Sustainable Urban Development Plan (PSTD).

The implementation of this project is expected to reduce installed power by more than 80%, while maintaining lighting levels and decreasing energy consumption and light pollution. It will also improve lighting quality, enhance the nighttime appeal of the Balcony of the Mediterranean, and strengthen the tourist and scenic attractions of the area, contributing to a more sustainable destination model.

The total planned power will be 1,107 watts, and annual consumption will decrease from the current 10 kW to 1.84 kW. In fact, the projected difference in consumption will be 34,680 kWh. The annual energy consumption cost will also be affected, dropping from the current €8,783.52 to €1,535.40. The reduction in CO2 emissions per year is estimated at 8,982 kilograms.

The project is expected to take five months to complete, and the warranty period is one year from the date of completion.

Among the most significant actions included in the project is the replacement of existing light fixtures to achieve greater depth and angle of illumination in specific areas. New fixtures will be installed in new locations to achieve the desired results. For example, the existing fixtures will be used to illuminate the stone wall on the west face of the cliff, but several measures will be implemented to improve the current lighting. Additionally, residual light will be controlled to prevent it from reflecting off the water. To this end, the spotlights will be installed at a slight angle towards the wall.