CTL Logistics joins the Green Rail Programme

On 21st of April 2021, during the first day of TOGETAIR Climate Summit, CTL Logistics and PKP Energetyka signed letters of intent, owing to which the carrier joins the Green Rail Programme. The cooperation is aimed at the transition of CTL Logistics to RES energy which will be used for both the supply of trains and the Carrier infrastructure.

Under the signed agreements, CTL Logistics and PKP Energetyka will cooperate on the basis of a long-term contract which will allow for the generation of an appropriate quantity of energy from RES using technologically innovative solutions to supply the trains with the CTL Logistics logo. In addition, the companies will cooperate to install PV plants in the areas and buildings owned by the Carrier, which will supply buildings, railways sidings and other infrastructure, which will contribute to the achievement of the objective: an emission-neutral railway company.

The date and place of signing the letter of intent are intentional. The Railway Energy Efficiency Centre is a partner of the 2nd TOGETAIR 2021 Climate Summit organized on 21st - 23rd April this year. It is dedicated to the energy transition. The Summit is attended by, i.a., Michał Kurtyka, the Minister of Climate and Environment and other representatives of the government, local governments, companies, banks and institutions. During the event, the consequences of climate changes, fair transition and actions to improve air quality and smog prevention will be discussed.

Green Rail is a Programme developed by the industry initiative of the Railway Energy Efficiency Centre (CEEK), where both these Companies operate. Its ambition is the transition of the railway sector to RES supply in 85% until 2030 and ultimately in 100%. This year, the Programme is in the implementation phase to successively comprise railway companies that actively join the challenge being the railway transition to the first means of transport nearly completely supplied with solar and wind energy.

According to Grzegorz Bogacki, President of CTL Logistics, “we had no doubts that the Railway Energy Efficiency Centre is a project that will quickly provide actual solutions for ecology and thus the future for the railway sector. The Green Rail Programme is such a solution. Active participation in the Programme is the obligation of every active player in the transport market. Railway faces numerous challenges, such as modernization of infrastructure or increase in terminal capacity. Not all of them can be influenced by us, as the Carriers. Fortunately, owing to the Green Rail Programme, we can decide on the type of energy to supply our trains. The involvement in eco-railway is our contribution to the implementation of the climate and energy policy of the country and to the increase in competitiveness of railway as a means of transport”.

The same objective is pursued by PKP Energetyka in its Strategy for 2021-2030, which will this year complete the project consisting in construction of PV panels at all its traction substations. “We have started with ourselves, as we are a company that controls its carbon footprint, and we wish to minimize our environmental impact within the next 10 years. We share our experience with our Customers. The railway industry becomes a real leader in the field in supporting the implementation of climate goals. We are not only the most effective means of transport, but we take specific steps to be environmentally neutral. We believe that our actions will cause trains to become the means of transport of first choice for passengers and companies transporting their products” – says Wojciech Orzech, President of PKP Energetyka.