RAIL Baltica project delivery company RB Rail has announced the formal launch of what it describes as a Europe’s largest railway electrification project, with the signing of the contract to electrify the new 1435mm-gauge line under construction to connect Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia with the European Union (EU).
Worth €1.77bn, the energy subsystem contract has been awarded to the Cobelec Rail Baltica consortium of Spanish companies Cobra and Elecnor. A formal signing ceremony was held in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on September 15.
The contract covers electrification of the full 870km Rail Baltica network, comprising 2403km single track-km, making it one of the largest railway electrification projects in the world, according to RB Rail. Budgeted at €949m, the first phase is due for completion by 2030.
RB Rail says that the project will pioneer the use of static frequency converter (SFC) technology on a large scale within the 2 x 25kV 50Hz ac overhead electrification system, which will have 10 traction substations. “This approach will ensure long-term reliability, efficiency, and strong environmental performance,” RB Rail says.
Tendering of the electrification contract was launched in May 2022, attracting expressions of interest from four consortia. Three were shortlisted in 2023, with Cobelec selected as preferred bidder for its “strong technical solution, cost efficiency, and sustainability credentials,” according to RB Rail. The contract was signed electronically on July 31.
“By selecting a single contractor for both design and construction, we ensure efficiency, consistency, and cost control,” says Aiga Benfelde, senior contract manager at RB Rail and chair of the procurement commission.
For detailed data on European rail infrastructure projects, subscribe to IRJ Pro.
