Huge railway projects and Europe betting on hydrogen

In 2023, 250 railway construction projects were launched worldwide, with a total capital investment of almost USD 250 billion. 42% of these projects are located in Asia – mainly in India (40) and China (28) – including 7 of the 10 most expensive ones. Nearly a quarter of all rail construction projects worldwide are quick public transport or metro projects. The most expensive ongoing projects include the expansion of the Tehran metro ($5.8 billion), the Toronto metro ($6.8 billion) and the construction of the Sydney Metro Western Sydney Airport ($7.2 billion).

A consortium of Spanish companies has secured funding for the groundbreaking Hympulso project. This initiative aims to power the Talgo 250 high-speed train using renewable hydrogen. What sets the Hympulso project apart is its holistic approach, covering the entire renewable hydrogen production chain, from production to usage. This comprehensive strategy will allow participants to evaluate the full impact of hydrogen on the railway system, including tracks and infrastructure.

Siemens Mobility GmbH has unveiled its inaugural fleet of hydrogen vehicles, currently undergoing final tests at the Siemens Wildenrath centre. This fleet comprises seven two-car Mireo Plus H trains for the Niederbarnimer Eisenbahn (NEB). The deployment of these hydrogen-powered trains on the Heidekrautbahn rail network is part of a collaborative pilot project backed by scientific research and financed by the federal government and the states of Berlin and Brandenburg. The transition from diesel to hydrogen on the Heidekrautbahn is projected to slash annual carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 3 million kg and conserve 1.1 million litres of diesel fuel, underscoring the significant environmental benefits of this shift.