The French state railway SNCF wants to cover about 15 to 20 percent of its energy needs with self-generated solar energy by 2030. Unused railway grounds, platform roofs and parking spaces will be equipped with solar installations, the SNCF announced in Paris on Thursday.
In a first step, 1,000 hectares of land and buildings have been selected on which as much electricity can be generated as a nuclear power station can supply.
In the medium term, up to 10,000 hectares of railway area will be used for solar energy generation, especially along railway lines. With this step, Deutsche Bahn wants to reduce its CO₂ emissions and become autonomous in its energy supply.
Surpluses must be reinvested
More than 80 percent of SNCF trains run electrically. With a share of ten percent, rail is the largest industrial consumer of electricity in France. Profits made with the company’s own power generation must flow to the maintenance and expansion of the railway network.
The aim is to double the share of rail traffic in France by 2040. SNCF establishes a new subsidiary for its own power generation.
Investments are also being made in rail in Austria. From spring 2026, ÖBB will use Railjet double-decker trains for the first time. In addition, the Österreichische Bundesbahnen announced on Thursday that it had ordered 21 more Cityjet double-decker trains for local transport in the eastern region. The order volume for the 35 sets totals around 600 million euros.
Source: Krone
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