The renewal of KTZ’s locomotive fleet and related maintenance support includes the next generation locomotive KZ8A(NG). To date, 90 freight and 39 passenger locomotives are in commercial operation with 160 freight and 80 passenger locomotives to be produced and delivered for KTZ.
Both parties have agreed to join efforts to grow capacity and rail know-how within the supply base in the country to increase localization rates. Over the past 12 years, Alstom has developed a strong supplier base with more than 340 local partners and plans to expand this base further and increase localization rates.
Alstom and KTZ agreed to diversify their partnership and create an interlocking center of excellence in Kazakhstan with the goal of establishing EBI Lock 950 product (signaling) expertise in the country. Additionally, Alstom will work with KTZ on implementing low emission rail technologies with a focus on hydrogen and battery trains to reduce transport related emissions in the country.
“Alstom’s work in Kazakhstan goes beyond addressing the immediate transportation needs of the country to support KTZ, as they build a strong and sustainable rail industry. We see a growing future in Kazakhstan, one with increased localization, a larger and diverse employee base and new export opportunities. We remain committed to being a major contributor to the revitalization of the country’s rail industry and the development of its economy,” said Andrew DeLeone, president of Alstom in Africa, Middle East, and Central Asia.
Alstom in Kazakhstan employs over 1,000 people and has four service sites and two production plants. One plant is EKZ in Astana for freight and passenger electric locomotives and production of on-board transformers and bogies, and the second is KEP in Almaty to produce point machines to serve the rail network in the country.
The solutions selected have a considerable impact on the day to day lives of Kazakh residents and are an integral part of the modernization of the country’s rail network. In addition to being faster, offering more capacity and high availability rates, the components for the 250 freight and 119 passenger Prima locomotives are 97% recyclable.
Furthermore, based on Alstom’s operational data, Alstom trains operated in Kazakhstan have 89% less gCO2/passenger km compared to cars and the country will see further reduction on CO2 emissions as they increase the use of renewables in the energy mix.