Sea turtle hatchlings start their incredible journey to the deep with a frantic dash to the Gulf.

The Santa Rosa Island Authority, Escambia County and Gulf Power are starting a lighting project that will make that trip safer for sea turtles on Pensacola Beach.

One year after launching a project to brighten 19 miles of U.S. 98 with efficient LED streetlights, Gulf Power is working with the SRIA to complete a turtle-friendly lighting project that will reduce light impacts on wildlife while actually improving the lighting in the Casino Beach parking lot on Pensacola Beach. The project is being funded through BP grants.

It is Gulf Power’s first turtle-friendly lighting project that would meet new requirements set by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Escambia County.

“We are working with our customers to meet their needs to provide enhanced safety while helping protect the sea turtles that nest along our coast,” said Natalie Smith, Gulf Power spokesperson. “This project will provide more energy-efficient turtle-friendly lighting where it’s needed, while reducing ambient light that would impact sea turtles as they make their way to the Gulf of Mexico.”

Sea turtles swim ashore to dig nests to lay their eggs from April to October and use the ambient light over the Gulf to return to the water. The hatchlings use the same light to make their way to the Gulf some 45 to 60 days later. Artificial lights are believed to cause disorientation for both adult sea turtles and the hatchlings.

The turtle-friendly LED lights illuminate where it is needed for pedestrians and traffic, but use directional amber lighting that reduces glow that could affect nesting sea turtles and their hatchlings and at a wavelength that is not as visible to turtles. Additionally, the amber lights will be shielded from the Gulf-side.

Gulf Power is expected to start the project in November and should complete it by the end of January. 

A total of 99 79-watt fixtures will be placed on 38 22-foot aluminum poles that will be bolted on concrete bases. Contractors will remove the existing 21 35-foot concrete poles with unshielded 250-watt high-pressure sodium fixtures. The work will be completed in stages starting at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office annex, with limited closure of just a few parking spaces in the immediate areas.

Gulf Power will continue shielding standard lighting in other areas on request.

Gulf Power Company is an investor-owned electric utility with all of its common stock owned by Atlanta-based Southern Company. Gulf Power serves more than 436,000 customers in eight counties throughout Northwest Florida. The company’s mission is to safely provide exceptional customer value by delivering reliable, affordable and environmentally responsible electricity while strengthening our communities. Visit online at MyGulfPower.com or on the company’s Facebook page, “Gulf Power Company.”