Whitecroft Lighting’s project partnership with Mitie reduces lighting energy by 80% across DWP estate

A major smart lighting upgrade for the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) has been successfully delivered by lighting manufacturer, Whitecroft Lighting, dramatically reducing energy consumption across its UK-wide estate.

Carried out in partnership with FM provider, Mitie, Whitecroft Lighting replaced outdated lighting systems with modern LED luminaires and smart building technology, reducing the DWP’s lighting energy consumption by around 80 per cent.

The project has delivered unprecedented efficiencies for the government department, the largest in the country, with installations across 129 of its modernised sites.

Crucially, Whitecroft’s systems will play a key role in the DWP’s ambitious 45 per cent carbon reduction target, aligning with the UK government’s wider Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, aimed at helping public sector organisations reduce carbon emissions.

Central to securing the project and subsequent efficiencies is Whitecroft’s exclusive smart daylight harvesting system, Organic Response.

The sensor-driven lighting system automatically adjusts lighting levels based on natural light availability, significantly improving lighting energy efficiency, whilst optimising the welfare of people.

Automated sensors also met the need to remove manual light switches, helping FMs to cut energy waste in unoccupied areas whilst improving the lifespan of luminaires.

The systems also ensure that the DWP estate lighting is future-proofed and left ready for the next generation of smart building upgrades. Mitie’s facilities management teams can now also receive vital operational information, allowing them to track lighting energy consumption for data-driven decision making.

This includes automated emergency lighting, testing and reporting, removing the need for a physical presence on site to carry out essential health and safety protocols. Another benefit is greater convenience and user satisfaction for staff, allowing for hands-free operation whilst delivering natural light levels that improve comfort and concentration.

With 54,300 individual lighting products installed, such as luminaires, seniors and nodes, the DWP upgrade is one of the biggest projects in its 80-year history.

Mark Brunt, Regional Sales Manager at Whitecroft Lighting, said: “When Mitie approached us, we knew we had to deliver a solution that made a real impact on the DWP’s carbon reduction targets. Swapping thousands of outdated lights for LEDs instantly cut energy use by 50 per cent, and with Organic Response, we pushed efficiency even further, achieving up to 80 per cent savings.

“We also future-proofed the DWP estate lighting, ensuring it’s ready for the next generation of smart building upgrades, so Mitie can quickly integrate cloud-based technology, heat mapping, and other smart asset management controls at a time of its choosing.

“This project has been a great opportunity to show how cutting-edge lighting technology can drive real efficiency in the public sector and support the government’s push for smarter, more sustainable buildings.”

A spokesperson from Mitie highlighted how smart-ready buildings have transformed facilities management for the DWP, providing real-time insights that enable smarter, data-driven decisions to reduce waste and enhance efficiency.