Renfe Mercancías will invest EUR 122.7 million to acquire new electric locomotives, platforms and wagons to decarbonise rail freight transport. The operator will also focus on digitalisation and new technologies which will also increase the performance and will improve its services. Renfe expects that the contracts will be awarded in the first half of 2023 and must be completed by December 31, 2025.
The spanish operator will acquire high traction power electric locomotives running on 100% renewable energy and wagons carrying road semitrailers. Renfe and Stadler are currently running a contract for the supply of 12 Euro 6000 electric locomotives (multi-system Co’Co’ locomotive based on Eurodual family) with the first four being delivered in October 2022. In January, Renfe reported it has received the sixth tri-voltage locomotive from Stadler running on 100% renewable electricity. The new locomotives will enable Renfe to better use the new infrastrucrture such as the Pajares Base Tunnel which is expected to be inaugurated this year.
The projects to be implemented by Renfe Mercancías include the installation of on-board ERTMS, noise reduction systems for wagons, as well as the introduction of optimisation of processes and services in the freight transport centres.
EUR 37.3 million representing 30% of the total investment will come from the Support Programme for Sustainable and Digital Transport the Transport Ministry is implementing under the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan through the NextGenerationEU instrument.
The objective of these projects is to use modern systems and solutions including technology to improve tracking and identification of the wagons to create a more sustainable, efficient and more competitive transport sector.
The Government’s subsidy programme for companies corresponds to support for sustainable and digital transport, focusing on the project to decarbonise rail freight transport which will lead to the reduction of emissions. The Renfe Mercancías’ projects are aligned to its commitments agreed with its clients for the improvement of productivity.
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