Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority has secured a $117,247.63 TVA EnergyRight incentive for a large LED lighting upgrade at Frederick W. Smith International Airport in Memphis, Tennessee. The retrofit replaced more than 1,900 ageing metal halide, compact fluorescent and high-pressure sodium fixtures across the terminal, parking, cargo and exterior areas, with the airport projecting annual electricity savings of more than 1.5 GWh and a payback period of less than six months.
The upgrade was developed with TVA EnergyRight technical support and Memphis Light, Gas and Water to identify efficiency gains and modernise legacy lighting infrastructure. Airport officials put the five-year return on investment at nearly $1 million, based on lower power consumption and reduced maintenance needs.
The project is one of the latest utility-backed efficiency moves at a major US cargo and passenger airport, where lighting changes can quickly cut operating costs across large facilities and outdoor spaces. The retrofit also reduces dependence on older lamp technologies that typically require more frequent replacement and higher energy use.