Jersey Opera House electrical use 'unethical'
An expert report into Jersey's newly refurbished Opera House found its lighting system uses an "unethical" amount of electricity.The independent lighting audit was taken in the final stages of the government-funded £11.5m project and noted the older-style lighting and control desk needed modernising.It said the green credentials of the older kit were "completely incompatible with a modern requirement" using up to 80% more electricity than LEDs.The opera house, which has been approached for comment, made a request for extra funding to modernise equipment in January, which the government said it would investigate. The government has also been approached for comment.
'Heavy on consumption'
The report was commissioned in February by the minister for sustainable economic development and was carried out by a company called Lighting Plan.The audit results were made available through a freedom of information request made to the Government of Jersey. The report said: "The current fixtures are perfectly capable of lighting a wide variety of presentations including drama, dance, opera, musicals, comedy, and conferences."However, most all of the fixtures currently in the Opera House stock are older-style 'conventionals' that have a tungsten source that require hefty phase control dimming."It added the lights were "hugely heavy on electricity consumption", regarded now as "unethical" when utilised in a theatre that has undergone a recent refurbishment.
It also said the control system in the theatre required "a high level of niche training in order to be operated"."A touring company visiting the theatre would most likely not be able to use it, preferring instead the industry standard which they would tour in with the show."
'Outcry'
The report noted the lighting system would eventually need to be replaced. "If seen as a purely short-term remedial placeholder before the fixtures are replaced with ethical sources then of course the theatre could open and service a variety of shows needs," it said."In today's world, the transition to a more sustainable, energy-efficient future has never been more vital."The report recommended that a full LED lighting rig of automated and static fixtures be installed either in parts or at once."I reiterate that after any refurbishment the outcry at using these inefficient technologies would be justified and doubtless fail the energy efficiency projected for the building pre-renovations," it said.In January, Minister for Sustainable Economic Development Deputy Kirsten Morel said the infrastructure department had "delivered the building on time and on budget, and the inside technical theatrical workings were not part of their remit".
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