Barcelona City Council has moved to fortify the city’s traffic infrastructure against future power failures. The council approved a major new maintenance contract, which includes the installation of over 1,000 traffic light batteries in Barcelona.
This decision comes as part of a broader €34.3 million maintenance strategy for the 2026-2028 period. Consequently, this strategy ensures that Barcelona’s roads remain safe and functional even during electrical blackouts.
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Powering through blackouts with traffic light batteries
The new contract, approved this Tuesday, represents an annual investment increase of approximately €2.5 million. A central pillar of this investment deploys Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems. These are industrial-grade batteries across the city’s basic traffic network.
City officials want to avoid a repeat of the chaos seen on 28 April 2025. A significant blackout left traffic lights dark, forcing pedestrians and drivers to navigate busy intersections without guidance. The new plan involves installing or replacing 1,121 batteries at critical junctions. These traffic light batteries in Barcelona ensure continuous operation during grid failures.
“We already saw it on the day of the blackout,” said First Deputy Mayor Laia Bonet. She emphasised the necessity of the upgrade. “With this new contract, we are deepening prevention. We are anticipating problems before things break.”
Reinforcing security and efficiency
Beyond electrical reliability, the contract covers the maintenance of 39,772 traffic lights. These are spread across 1,805 intersections. It also includes the upkeep of 81 new retractable anti-terrorist bollards. Authorities installed these at strategic locations such as Plaça de la Catedral, Via Laietana, and La Rambla.
The city has progressively implemented these security measures since the 2017 terror attacks. The subsequent raising of the terror alert level prompted further action. In areas undergoing renovation, these high-tech bollards are replacing static barriers like concrete planters.
Additionally, the contract mandates a rapid response protocol. Repairs for unforeseen incidents affecting equipment must be available 24 hours a day. Maintenance companies must hold a minimum stock of spare parts to prevent delays.
A greener traffic network
Barcelona’s traffic system has already undergone significant modernisation. As of 2024, 100% of the city’s traffic lights operate using LED technology. According to council data, this transition has slashed daily electricity consumption from 46,000 kWh to just 10,000 kWh.
This efficiency drive prevents the emission of roughly 18 tonnes of CO₂ annually. It also generates monthly savings of over €66,000.
“In 2001, almost all traffic lights worked with traditional bulbs; now 100% are LED lights,” Bonet highlighted.
Looking ahead, the council plans to improve 453 signalised intersections this year under the Pla Endreça (Tidy Up Plan). Between 2025 and 2027, officials have scheduled a further 1,000 interventions. These include fibre-optic connections to improve remote management of the traffic grid.
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