More and more countries in Central Asia are focusing on railway electrification in order to integrate national and international networks and reduce time, in a time when environmental benefits are of the utmost importance, therefore supporting the development of a sustainable transport system. In addition, railway electrification brings a series of performance-oriented advantages: higher performance for rolling stock, reduction of operational and maintenance costs, increase lifecycle for railway components.
Turkey plans to electrify its entire railway network; even the new lines are completely electrified. The most recent project developed in Turkey is the launch of the Ankara-Konya high-speed line. Railway electrification is part of an ambitious plan developed by the local government. The objective is to integrate the Asian and European railway networks in order to create a major rail link through Turkey. “By 2023 we will finalize the Beijing-London rail link, a major extension of the Eurasian Land-Bridge network. Turkey plays a central role for the international rail links connecting Europe, Asia, Middle East and Caucasus”, stated Habib Soluk, Under Secretary of State within the Turkish Ministry of Transport. TCDD’s strategy is to extend the railway electrification to the Bulgarian border, since the country is expanding its network towards Central Europe.
Iran is also in the middle of implementing new electrification projects. The local government has already awarded the Tehran – Mashhad (741 km) electrification contract, seeing as Mashhad is a key point along the line that links Lianyungang (China) and Rotterdam. Based on this project, 70 electric locomotives were acquired. Tehran-Esfahan (centre Iran) will also be electrified, while Tabriz-Tehran will be re-electrified. Turkey and Iran are working together on the electrification projects, involving railway companies from both countries. This has lead to the development of a bilateral cooperation, generating investments in the rail infrastructure.
Another Asian country focused on railway electrification is Uzbekistan. This year, the Asian Development Bank will allocate over EUR 400 Million for these projects. The electrification of the railway network in Uzbekistan will have a major impact not only on the development of electric rail transport, but also on the development of a sustainable economy and regional cooperation. “The result of implementing the electrification project will contribute to the improvement of operational performance, as well as the institutional efficiency of the railway system. 390 km of track will be electrified. This project will help improve the efficiency of the logistics segment and railway safety”, stipulates ADB in a document regarding the financing of this project.
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