Historically significant electrification agreement for Rail Baltica is sealed in ceremony
The Rail Baltica project, a landmark initiative connecting the Baltic states with the rest of Europe, has taken a significant step forward with the awarding of the electrification contract. The contract, valued at EUR 1.77 billion (excluding VAT), has been awarded to COBELEC Rail Baltica, a consortium formed by Cobra Instalaciones y Servicios S.A. and Elecnor Servicios y Proyectos S.A.U.
The awarding of the electrification contract followed a procurement process launched in May 2022, with four international consortia applying and the joint venture formed by Cobra and Elecnor being ultimately selected. COBELEC Rail Baltica was chosen for its strong technical solution, cost efficiency, and sustainability credentials.
Kuldar Leis, Minister of Infrastructure of Estonia, emphasized the strategic importance of Rail Baltica, stating, "Rail Baltica is a strategic pathway to the future." Similarly, Eugenijus Sabutis, Acting Minister of Transport and Communications of Lithuania, expressed that Rail Baltica is an economic and security link to the West.
The electrification of Rail Baltica will electrify 870 km of railway and 2,403 km of tracks across Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, making it the largest railway electrification project in Europe and one of the largest worldwide.
In Estonia, more than 100 km of railway substructure is underway, including at the flagship Ülemiste Terminal. Meanwhile, in Lithuania, construction is progressing on the Kaunas-Panevežys section, where 77 km of embankments and engineering structures are currently underway. By the end of 2025, works are expected to cover 114 km, including track-laying and the construction of a new bridge over the Neris River, which will be the longest in the country.
Large-scale construction works are also underway in Latvia, near Iecava, complemented by progress on the 230 km framework agreement and major developments at the Riga Central Hub and Airport terminals.
Jānis Naglis, Member of the Management Board of Eiropas Dzelzceļa līnijas, noted that the Rail Baltica electrification is one of the most complex and significant phases of the project. Marko Kivila, CEO and Chairperson of the Management Board of RB Rail AS, underlined the project's strategic importance and noted that the electrification works will be implemented in parallel with the wider project.
Mme Catherine Trautmann, the European Coordinator for the North Sea-Baltic TEN-T Corridor, congratulated the project on this important milestone. Aiga Benfelde, Senior Contract Manager at RB Rail AS and Chairperson of the Procurement Commission, stated that the electrification contract is a major step for Rail Baltica.
The project will pioneer the large-scale use of Static Frequency Converter (SFC) technology combined with 2x25kV in a 50 Hz system. By the end of 2025, 43% of the Rail Baltica mainline will be construction-ready, marking a decisive leap toward Europe's most ambitious cross-border rail project.
Egidijus Lazauskas, CEO of LTG Group, expressed confidence that the process will be smooth and efficient due to the contractor's familiarity with working in Lithuania. Jānis Naglis shared similar sentiments, expressing optimism about the project's future.
With the electrification contract in place, the Rail Baltica project is poised to make significant strides in connecting the Baltic states with the rest of Europe, fostering economic growth and enhancing regional integration.
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