Indian Railways Pushes Towards Goal Of Full Electrification By 2022 With ABB Deal

Sign up for daily news updates from CleanTechnica on email. Or follow us on Google News!

ABB is making headway in India with a new train deal worth $42 million with Indian Railways. ABB will supply its traction equipment across the rail network to improve the efficiency of existing equipment and to improve the reliability of the Indian rail network.

ABB’s Technologies are used by Stadler Rail in many of its electrified rail offerings. Image credit: Kyle Field | CleanTechnica

The deal will supply ABB’s industry leading converters for electric trains to Diesel Locomotive Works in Varanasi in Northern India. ABB will build the converters at one of ABB’s largest locomotive supply factories in Nelamangala, in Southern India.

“We are delighted to be contributing to the electrification of India’s rail network with ABB’s locally manufactured solutions,” said ABB CEO Ulrich Spiesshofer. “By adopting advanced technologies, India is achieving rapid improvements in growth and productivity and shaping its economy for the era of digitalization.”

Seeing a company that is literally named for a competing internal combustion rail solution purchase such a large quantity of ABB’s electrified rail technologies is a huge win that indicates just how competitive electric rail is in diverse economies around the world. Not only does it clean up the air around the rail lines, it eliminates the point-of-use emissions stemming from rail altogether.

“We are privileged to work with DLW and Indian Railways on the electrification of the domestic rail network in India – the fourth largest rail network in the world,” said Sanjeev Sharma, Managing Director, ABB India. “This order will help to improve rail efficiency, so that passengers traveling in India will reach their destination on time and in comfort.”

ABB’s traction equipment is the backbone of more than 250 electric locomotives operated by Indian Railways today, which are in use on both passenger and freight lines. The company has its components in more than 20% of the three-phase electric locomotives and this new order will see that number continue to climb as Indian Railways pursues its stated objective of full electrification by 2022.

Source: ABB


Have a tip for CleanTechnica? Want to advertise? Want to suggest a guest for our CleanTech Talk podcast? Contact us here.

Latest CleanTechnica TV Video


Advertisement
 
CleanTechnica uses affiliate links. See our policy here.

Kyle Field

I'm a tech geek passionately in search of actionable ways to reduce the negative impact my life has on the planet, save money and reduce stress. Live intentionally, make conscious decisions, love more, act responsibly, play. The more you know, the less you need. As an activist investor, Kyle owns long term holdings in Tesla, Lightning eMotors, Arcimoto, and SolarEdge.

Kyle Field has 1654 posts and counting. See all posts by Kyle Field