Catenary on the 11km – which stretches from Plasencia station in Extremadura to a transformer station on the Plasencia-Peñas Blancas section of the Extremadura high-speed railway – will be “powered up” on September 15.
According to Adif AV, the electrification of the 11km was pending, due to damage to a high voltage line, when in May the 112km section between the exit of the Plasencia station and Peñas Blancas was put under tension.
Meanwhile, in August, the 90km section between the Carmonita substation (Badajoz) and the Badajoz station exit was energized, including the Aljucén, Mérida and Badajoz stations. In addition, voltage checks began on the elements that make up the catenary between Plasencia and Badajoz, as well as the traction substation and the signaling and communication facilities.
Adif has also announced that it has awarded the contract for the maintenance and conservation of the energy systems of the Plasencia-Badajoz section (355km of electrified roads) for €6.8m.
The electrification of the Plasencia-Badajoz section is based on a 2x25 kV alternating current system and 50 hertz frequency. The supply of electrical energy to the line is carried out through traction substations, which transform the voltage from 400 kV to 2x25 kV required by the catenary.
The electrification of the line contributes to safer and more sustainable circulation. This power system also allows for better distribution of currents and is the one deployed on the new high-speed lines in Spain.
The Madrid-Extremadura High-Speed Line, part of the Atlantic Corridor, will total 437km in length and cost €3.7bn to develop. The first phase of the project, running for 150km from Plasencia to Badajoz on the Portuguese border, opened in July 2022, with works on the full line, including electrification works, ongoing.