Germany's Push for Expanding Overhead Lines: A Failure to Meet Expectations?
Expansion of Subway Network: Approximately 20 kilometers of elevated tracks expected to be completed by 2024 - New overhead line expansion: roughly 20 kilometers by 2024 in rail infrastructure
Let's break it down! The German railway network is facing a significant hurdle — more than one-third of its railway tracks still rely on diesel locomotives, owing to the lack of electrified tracks. In 2021, an abysmal 20 kilometers of new electrified tracks were added, with a hopeful prediction of around 45 kilometers for 2022 [1].
Currently, about 62% of the tracks in Germany are electrified, but heavily used lines generally have overhead lines, resulting in 90% of rail traffic running electrically. The Alliance pro Schiene, however, advocates for 80% of the railway network to be equipped with overhead lines by 2035, which would require around 600 kilometers of electrification each year. So far, only 75 kilometers of overhead lines have been built annually in the state-owned railway network [1].
Why so slow? The Alliance pro Schiene believes a faster expansion is possible in the coming years due to several factors. Firstly, the incoming federal government seems to recognize the issue, even if the coalition agreement does not state specific expansion targets for overhead lines. Instead, the focus is slated for abolishing the cost-benefit ratio, which could potentially expedite expansion projects [1].
Secondly, the coalition agreement promises funding for electrification through the Climate and Transformation Fund, offering increased resources for expansion. Flege emphasizes that this could realistically enable the expansion eight times faster than before [1].
Lastly, there's no expected shortage of personnel for construction. Companies are working together to train overhead line installers and are hiring more skilled workers [1].
A crucial aspect of this electrification is the improvement of railway connections to European neighboring countries, especially concerning military transports by rail. Currently, only 28 of 57 border crossings are equipped with overhead lines, particularly at the borders with Poland and the Czech Republic, indicating substantial need for catch-up [1].
Some Insights to Consider:
- The 2025 coalition agreement between the CDU/CSU and SPD prioritizes expanding and modernizing Germany's electricity grid; however, there are no precise quantitative targets for overhead line expansion mentioned in the agreement [2].
- The coalition's focus on grid expansion and modernization can directly benefit the electrification of the railway network, ensuring reliable and sufficient power supplies and reducing project lead times [2].
- The coalition aims to streamline approvals and reduce bureaucratic hurdles, which could accelerate both grid expansion projects and the electrification of rail infrastructure [2].
- Overhead Line
- Traffic
- Germany
- Railway Track
- Dirk Flege
- Diesel Locomotive
- Coalition Agreement
- Alliance pro Schiene
- Association of German Transport Companies
- Electrification
[1] Base Article, sourced from https://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/verkehr/raumverkehr/nur-um-20-kilometer-neue-oberleitungen-bis-2024-17727337.html
[2] Enrichment Data, sourced from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/363805651_Expansion_Targets_for_Overhead_Lines_in_Germany_(Coalition_Agreement)
- The German railway network is faced with a major challenge, given that more than a third of its tracks are still relying on diesel locomotives due to the absence of electrified tracks, and only 75 kilometers of overhead lines have been built annually in the state-owned railway network.
- To meet the Alliance pro Schiene's goal of 80% of the railway network being equipped with overhead lines by 2035, approximately 600 kilometers of electrification would be required each year, which is currently far from being achieved.
- The incoming federal government's recognition of the issue, the promise of funding for electrification through the Climate and Transformation Fund, streamlined approvals, and an emphasis on reducing bureaucratic hurdles could potentially expedite the expansion of electrified railway tracks in Germany.
- Companies are working together to train overhead line installers and are hiring more skilled workers to address any potential shortage of personnel for construction, rather than relying on diesel locomotives for railway traffic in Germany.
