Rail operators in Italy issue tenders for hydrogen-powered trains

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Two Italian rail operators in Calabria and Sardinia have issued tenders for new hydrogen-powered trains and a hydrogen production plant as part of their efforts to upgrade regional railway lines so they are more sustainable.

In Calabria in southwest Italy, rail operator Ferrovie della Calabria published a call for tenders for the supply of five hydrogen-powered railcars for a total value of €65m.

The tender includes options for full-service assistance for the five railcars with a value of €3.5m,  three additional hydrogen trains with a value of €39m, and full service assistance for these additional three railcars at €2.1m.

The deadline for submitting tenders is February 13, 2023.

Meanwhile, in Sardinia, public transport operator ARST has issued a tender for a contract relating to the design, supply and construction of the Alghero Center to Alghero Airport railway connection, including a hydrogen production plant.

The plant will be used to power hydrogen locomotives, which ARST also released a tender for a few weeks ago. This tender included the supply of a bi-directional traction unit, with electric traction powered by hydrogen to be used on 950mm gauge railway lines. The value of this tender is €16.3m and the deadline is February 7, 2023.

The value of the Alghero Center to Alghero Airport railway connection and hydrogen production plant tender is €82.58m and the deadline is April 26, 2023.

Both the Calabria and Sardinia projects will receive funding from Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan Complementary Fund.