Ford's Hamburg stamping plants gets energy efficiency upgrade

Things are looking brighter inside Ford Motor Co.'s Hamburg stamping plant.

The massive Route 5 complex has installed 1,740 LED tandem fixtures that are 70 percent more efficient than the metal halide light fixtures they replaced. The project was supported by a $1.35 million grant from National Grid, the utility's largest-ever grant for energy efficiency.

"Something as simple as changing the lighting can contribute benefits not just to the customer, but also to the environment," said Kenneth Daly, National Grid's president in New York state.

The annual estimated energy reduction from the upgrade - about 10.7 million kilowatt hours - is equivalent to the amount of electricity used by 1,400 homes in a year, Daly said.

The project's value was $2.7 million, with National Grid's grant covering half the cost. Ford and National Grid officials hailed the results at a Monday press conference at the plant, which stamps parts for vehicles including the Ford Edge and Flex.

Daly said the project reflects National Grid's goals of investing in the electric infrastructure, helping keep customers' energy bills down, and giving back to its community.