Overdue Electrification: Only 45 KM of New Overhead Lines Expected in Germany by 2024
Approximately 20 km of new elevated power lines for railways by 2024 expected. - Expanded railway system: anticipating a mere 20 kilometers of fresh overhead cables by 2024
Get ready to stick with diesel engines for a while longer, 'cause Germany's railway tracks ain't electrifying as fast as you'd hoped. Last year, we snagged just around 20 kilometers of electrified tracks, according to the Alliance pro Schiene and the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV). This year, they're predicting around 45 kilometers.
That's a far cry from the pace needed, they said. Currently, about 62 percent of Germany's tracks are electrified. Since heavily traveled routes usually sport overhead lines, electric-powered rail traffic clocks in at a whopping 90 percent.
The Alliance is pushing for 80 percent of Germany's railway network to have those overhead lines by 2035. To reach that goal, approximately 600 kilometers would need to be electrified yearly. Recently, only 75 kilometers of overhead lines have been built on the state-owned railway network per year, said Dirk Flege, CEO of Alliance pro Schiene.
But there's reason to believe things might speed up. The incoming federal government appears to be taking the issue seriously, even if the coalition agreement doesn't directly address specific expansion targets for overhead lines. The agreement does aim to eliminate the so-called cost-benefit ratio in the future, making it easier to justify electrification projects.
There have also been positive developments when it comes to financing. Per the coalition agreement, electrification projects will be financed from the government's Climate and Transformation Fund, which boasts a nice hefty stockpile of funds. With these two measures, it's realistic to expect expansion eight times faster than before, Flege stressed.
Electrification is crucial for military transports, too. The Alliance is confident there won't be a labor shortage when it comes to constructing these lines. "Companies are working together to train overhead line installers, and we're seeing more skilled workers being hired," Flege said.
The electrification of railway connections to European neighboring countries is especially imperative given the rising importance of military transports by rail. "Not enough has been done in this area for years," Flege added. In total, only 28 of 57 border crossings are equipped with overhead lines, with a significant catch-up needed at the borders with Poland and the Czech Republic.
- Overhead line
- Traffic
- Germany
- Railway track
- Dirk Flege
- Diesel locomotive
- Berlin
- Coalition agreement
- Alliance SE
- Association of German Transport Companies
- Electrification
While the current coalition agreement between the CDU/CSU and SPD lacks specific details on accelerating the electrification of Germany's railway tracks by 2035, it does emphasize increased investment in rail infrastructure and expediting rail electrification as part of its transport policies[2]. However, it does not provide clear targets or timelines for electrification by 2035.
- Dirk Flege, the CEO of Alliance pro Schiene, believes that the upcoming federal government might speed up the electrification of Germany's railway tracks, despite the current coalition agreement not directly addressing specific expansion targets for overhead lines.
- Flege also stated that electrification projects will be financed from the government's Climate and Transformation Fund, which has a significant amount of funds available.
- The Alliance pro Schiene is aiming to have approximately 80% of Germany's railway network electrified by 2035, which would require around 600 kilometers to be electrified yearly.
- The Alliance is particularly concerned about electrifying railway connections to European neighboring countries, especially those with Poland and the Czech Republic, as these connections are especially crucial for military transports by rail.
