Salisbury Cathedral installs new interior lighting
- Brighter illumination with reduced energy usage
- Improved lighting at services for those with impaired sight
- Atmospheric illumination for different events
- Significant reduction in carbon emissions
- Revealing architectural detail never before seen
Salisbury Cathedral has completed a major project to replace lighting inside the Cathedral with more efficient LED lighting that will significantly contribute to reducing the Cathedral’s carbon footprint.
Working with Yeovil-based Spectrum Electrical Group, who managed the project, and using fittings made by industry-leading architectural lighting manufacturer ERCO, the six-month project has seen the Cathedral equipped with a more sustainable lighting system that will provide an improved experience for visitors and those attending services and events.
The project was completed on budget and on time, with a generous grant from the Friends of Salisbury Cathedral. First used during Advent at the end of last year, the lighting balances illumination with atmosphere at services, particularly helping those with impaired sight or mobility.
For visitors, the Cathedral’s tour guides can show off parts of the building as never before seen, particularly high up, where medieval paint has been revealed in the arches, and a blocked doorway to the former glazing workshop above the Trinty Chapel near the High Altar.
The greatest impact of the new lighting, as well as reducing fire risk and improving the visitor experience, is the lowering of the carbon footprint. Taking action on climate change is one of the Cathedral’s strategic goals and part of the Anglican Church’s mission to support the most vulnerable people. Salisbury’s new lighting will achieve an energy saving of over 80% on the previous system and reduced carbon emissions of around 25 tonnes per year.
As part of its ongoing commitment to reaching net zero carbon, the Cathedral had already replaced the lighting of the exterior of the building in 2023 and installed hidden solar panels on the roof of the South Cloister in 2020.
Revd. Kenneth Padley, Canon Treasurer at Salisbury Cathedral, said: “Responding to climate change is an essential part of our responsibility to safeguard God’s creation. With the previous halogen lamps coming to the end of their natural life, our aim has been to reduce the Cathedral’s carbon footprint and provide high quality discreet lighting to showcase the building’s heritage. Christians know Jesus as light in our hearts and world. We are delighted with how our new installation symbolises this good news.”
Steve Thompson, Sales Director, ERCO UK Regional & Republic of Ireland said: ‘‘At ERCO, we believe that light has the power to transform and inspire. Working with Spectrum Electrical Group and Salisbury Cathedral to deliver a bespoke LED lighting solution has been an honour, allowing us to enhance the building’s architectural beauty and historical detail while reducing its environmental impact and maintenance costs. Spaces like the Cathedral are at the heart of their communities, and we’re proud that our lighting helps bring people together for worship, reflection, and celebration—showcasing the profound role light plays in shaping these shared experiences.’’
Richard Clayton, Managing Director of Spectrum Electrical Group, said: “All the team at Spectrum Electrical who have worked on the internal relighting of Salisbury Cathedral feel privileged to have been entrusted with such a high profile project. The astonishing results are testament to the high standards of workmanship achieved by our team, the outstanding design solutions and vision of Steve Thompson and ERCO and the working relationship we had throughout with Kenneth, Gary, Phil and the rest of the team at Salisbury Cathedral whose knowledge and assistance helped us enormously in completing the installation safely and on programme. We are so pleased that visitors to this outstanding building will be able to enjoy an enhanced experience for many years to come.”
The Cathedral’s work to achieve carbon net zero continues. There are plans to install similar LED lighting in the Cloisters and Chapter House, as well as explore the scope for a ground source heat pump to greatly reduce the carbon footprint of heating the Cathedral.
Further information about Salisbury Cathedral’s commitment to caring for the environment can be found here .