The project entails the installation of nearly 20,000 LED lighting fixtures across 324 of the Museum’s galleries and the replacement of 16 comprehensive lighting control systems, in service of The Met’s mission to present and preserve its collection of art. The initiative kicked off with a groundbreaking ceremony held at The Met’s 2000-year-old Temple of Dendur and is expected to be completed in 2028.
The new lighting system — which was developed in close collaboration with technical experts, lighting designers, curators, and conservators — will significantly improve the illumination and visual clarity of gallery exhibitions and help to preserve works on display through emitting less waste heat. Newly installed lighting controls will also enhance operational efficiency and flexibility through allowing The Met to remotely monitor, schedule and control the gallery lighting. The project will reduce The Met’s Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions by almost 2,000 MTCO2e, which is the equivalent of removing over 400 cars from the road.
“Investing in energy efficiency is a critical part of our commitment to a more sustainable and resilient New York City, and this new effort at the famed Metropolitan Museum of Art is one for the ages,” said DCAS Commissioner Louis A. Molina. “Through this partnership with NYPA and The Met, we are reducing energy consumption, lowering costs, and ensuring that one of the world’s greatest cultural institutions remains environmentally responsible. These upgrades will help preserve invaluable works of art while advancing the city’s decarbonization goals, demonstrating the power of collaboration in building a greener future.”
“The Met is one of the finest and most iconic museums in the world, presenting and preserving art for millions of New York residents and visitors each year,” said NYPA President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll. “The new NYPA-installed energy efficient lighting will illuminate the museum’s collections and significantly cut its operating and maintenance costs. The Power Authority’s continued collaboration with DCAS showcases the City and State’s shared commitment to developing energy efficient solutions that support the institutions that define our communities.”
The installation is one of the most complex energy efficiency projects ever led by DCAS, which oversees New York City’s efforts to reduce GHG emissions from government operations 50% by 2030, as mandated by the City’s landmark climate policy, Local Law 97 of 2019. The project advances one of the key tenants of DCAS’ strategy to curb GHG emissions through improving the energy efficiency and operations of key building systems.
The project is fully funded through City capital funds managed by DCAS and will be overseen by DCAS’ team of in-house lighting experts in partnership with NYPA.
Through FY23, the City has achieved a 26% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from government operations compared to the FY06 baseline, along with an overall 14% reduction in energy consumption compared to a five-year average from FY06-FY10. Since FY14, DCAS and its partner agencies’ work towards these goals has generated over 460,000 MTCO2e in annual GHG emissions reduction – the equivalent of removing approximately 100,000 cars from the road—and a reduction in energy consumption of 5.4 million MMBtu, which is equivalent to the annual energy use of over 380,000 NYC households. This work has also saved the City $150 million in annual energy costs.