Passengers of Łódzka Kolej Aglomeracyjna to travel using green energy

Łódzka Kolej Aglomeracyjna is set to begin using wind and solar electricity to power its trains. The carrier is the latest company to join the Green Railway programme established by the Railway Energy Efficiency Center and coordinated by PKP Energetyka. ŁKA also plans to start producing green non-traction energy for its own needs using photovoltaic systems.

A letter of intent regarding both matters was signed on May 13, 2021 during a meeting of the Programme Board of the Railway Energy Efficiency Center (CEEK). The agreement signed by Łódzka Kolej Aglomeracyjna andPKP Energetyka concerns a long-term cooperation arrangement under which PKP Energetyka will provide Łódzka Kolej Aglomeracyjna with traction energy from RES. This will help to bring about a green revolution for railway transport in Łódź, with trains set to be powered by energy generated in solar and wind power plants. The Green Railway Programme is an industry initiative established by the Railway Energy Efficiency Center (CEEK) for the continuous optimization of energy consumption on Polish railways. It brings together around 70 entities responsible for 95% of traction energy consumed in Poland. The aim of the Programme is to switch the railway sector to 85% RES power by 2030 and 100% in the longer term.

The Green Railway is currently in its implementation phase, with DB Cargo Polska and CTL Logistics already signed up to the programme. This makes Łódzka Kolej Aglomeracyjna the first passenger carrier to declare active participation in the transformation of railway energy by using RES to power its transport services.

“The participation of Łódzka Kolej Aglomeracyjna in the Green Railway Programme fits perfectly with the 2030 Development Strategy of Łódź Province. These initiatives cover two important goals for the coming years,” said Grzegorz Schreiber, Marshal of the Łódź Province. “The first of these goals is climate protection, which involves a gradual shift to environmentally friendly sources of energy production and use. The second is the development of the transport system in the region, including the systematic enhancement of transport services for the inhabitants of the province who travel by train. We intend to do this with care for the environment, using modern technology and investing in rolling stock that is safe for the climate.”

ŁKA and PKP Energetyka have also committed to the joint development of a model for the use of energy produced in photovoltaic systems. These systems, which will be located on land and buildings belonging to the Łódź railway, are set to power the carrier’s infrastructure. Among other assets, ŁKA owns a modern hall for the inspection and repair of rolling stock next to Łódź Widzew station. Together with a railway siding and a train washing plant, this forms the carrier's technical base, covering an area of almost 4.5 hectares. The aim of the cooperation between ŁKA and PKP Energetyka will be to select the most effective, technologically innovative, economically beneficial and environmentally friendly ways of powering it using energy from the sun: an important step towards reducing the carbon footprint of the Łódź regional rail carrier. Previously, PKP Cargo and CTL Logistics announced similar cooperation arrangements with PKP Energetyka.

“Łódzka Kolej Aglomeracyjna is guided by concerns about the most effective use of energy and about climate protection. We have already introduced recuperation and eco-driving, thanks to which we use 25% less energy on average per year. The next natural step is to switch to RES power, which will allow us to offer climate-neutral travel. We are active within CEEK, and the goals of this initiative are very close to our hearts. Furthermore, PKP Energetyka is our long-term energy partner. We are satisfied that the commitment undertaken today will be implemented for the benefit of the environment, passengers and the company,” noted Janusz Malinowski, President of Łódzka Kolej Aglomeracyjna.

“We are pleased that the activities carried out to date by Łódzka Kolej Aglomeracyjna – such as integration with other means of public transport, purchases of modern rolling stock or plans to acquire hybrid trains – are set to be extended within the Green Railway Programme. I hope that by fulfilling the condition of climate neutrality, rail will become the preferred means of transport among passengers,” said Wojciech Orzech, President of PKP Energetyka. “The aim of the Green Railway Programme is not only to reduce CO2 emissions from rail travel, but also to encourage the transfer of freight and passenger streams to rail transport.”

Both PKP Energetyka and Łódzka Kolej Aglomeracyjna belong to the Railway Energy Efficiency Center (CEEK), which aims to make railways more competitive and environmentally friendly. With regard to energy efficiency, plans are to cut the sector's energy consumption by 1.2 TWh by 2030 and to reduce CO2 emissions by 1 million tonnes by the same date. To this end, CEEK is promoting the development of recuperation technologies, eco-driving and the use of RES plants on railway premises and facilities. In addition, since 2019, the Center has been overseeing the Green Railway Programme, which seeks to achieve 2.5 TWh (85% of traction energy) from RES by 2030. This will translate into a reduction of 8 million tonnes in carbon dioxide emissions.