PKP Energetyka and Rail Polska – cooperation on green energy

Cooperation in order to create effective and innovative solutions, which will enable acquisition and use of electric energy produced from renewable sources – this is the main provision of the letter of intent signed by PKP Energetyka and Rail Polska. Photovoltaic installations will soon power the infrastructure of the rail freight carrier. PKP Energetyka will share its experience in implementing modern technologies ensuring access to green energy.

Rail Polska is one of the leading private freight carriers on the Polish railway market. In 2020, it recorded a share of 1.55% in terms of weight of goods transported and 1.47% in terms of freight work. The company specialises in the transport of bulk goods, intermodal transport and transport for the chemical industry. Rail Polska also offers the handling of railway sidings, the maintenance of railway infrastructure as well as the maintenance and modernisation of railway rolling stock – primarily diesel locomotives. In recent years, the railway industry has been buzzing about the company's project to convert the M62 diesel locomotive into an electric unit, which was named 207E “Edgar”. Further vehicles of this type are being built in the Rolling Stock Division in Włosienica, generating demand for energy from renewable sources, particularly photovoltaic farms. Rail Polska has long been modernising its energy infrastructure. In recent years, using support from the Provincial Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management in Kraków, the existing heating systems were changed to gas heating systems, solar panels were installed, and thermal modernisation of buildings has been performed.

„The signing of the letter of intent signalling the willingness to cooperate on green energy shows the great attention that our company pays to sustainable development and care for the environment. We are happy that our partner in the process of reducing the company's carbon footprint will be PKP Energetyka, which in our opinion has unique experience, competencies and the necessary know-how. It is also worth mentioning that we are already working together in the Centre for Railway Energy Efficiency (CEEK) to optimise the electricity consumption in the railway industry” – stated Piotr Krzemień, Member of the Board and Director of Zakład Przewozów Kolejowych Rail Polska.

The letter of intent signed with Rail Polska is another such agreement for PKP Energetyka regarding cooperation on the implementation of innovative and effective solutions for the generation of renewable energy by railway carriers. Earlier, declarations in this matter were also made by PKP Cargo, CTL Logistics and Łódzka Kolej Aglomeracyjna.

“There is no turning back from green energy. As climate change progresses, we all face the challenge to reduce our own carbon emissions into the atmosphere. The railway industry is no exception – more than that, it should lead by example. What is even more valuable, another railway carrier declared willingness to cooperate with PKP Energetyka in order to develop a model for the use of electricity produced in renewable energy plants. Our company is an excellent partner for the implementation of this project – we are currently implementing, among others, a project of construction of PV panels on more than 500 traction substations, which will reduce their demand for electricity – said Leszek Hołda, member of the Board of PKP Energetyka.

Both PKP Energetyka and Rail Polska are members of the Centre for Railway Energy Efficiency (CEEK), a railway industry initiative working towards more competitive and environmentally friendly railway transport. In terms of energy efficiency, CEEK’s plans are to reduce the sector's energy consumption by 1.2 TWh by 2030 and reduce CO2 emissions by 1 million tonnes by then. To this end, the Centre promotes the development of recuperation technologies, eco-driving and the use of RES plants on railway premises and facilities. Since 2019, CEEK has also been implementing the Green Railway Programme, which assumes that in 2030 2.5 TWh (85% of traction energy used by railway sector) will come from RES, which will translate into a reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by 8 million tonnes. PKP Energetyka acts as the integrator of the Green Railway Programme.