Lights will be changed to energy efficient LED technology which will see an estimated 1,595 MWh per year reduction in power use, delivering savings of more than $450,000 each year in maintenance and electricity costs.

The 6,900 plus lights to be upgraded will begin in February and Wagga City Council director corporate services Natalie Te Pohe said the change was not only environmentally sustainable but cost effective.

"Street lighting is a significant expense for council, costing around $1.5 million in the 2018-19 financial year, and with more than 7,200 streetlights across council's footprint, the upgrade will go a long way to reducing costs and providing significant long-term savings," she said.

"LEDs are far more energy efficient, require less maintenance and have a significantly longer life."

Mrs Te Pohe said council was investing $2.6 million to complete the bulk upgrade, but that costs were expecting to be recouped within a six year period.

The upgrade will include various areas that have been identified as crime areas, with a focus on graffiti hotspots.

A spokesperson from Wagga Police Station said the lights were a step in the right direction.

"I think anything [the council] does to help reduce crime is a good thing, but the best thing anyone could do though is to get rid of Ice," they said.

There will also be changes in lighting levels at future growth and development areas, such as the Health and Knowledge Precinct, Active Travel Plan corridors and collector roads.

Essential Energy streetlight manager Waide Elliott said the organisation continues to work closely with councils across its distribution area to assess their needs.

"Public lighting plays an important role in providing safe, secure and attractive public areas for both pedestrians and motorists," he said.

"It also represents between 25 and 70 per cent of any individual local government's corporate energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

"The new LED streetlighting for Wagga will not only provide a more reliable, better quality lighting service, but will deliver savings of more than 50 per cent in energy consumption."