Chile – EFE and MTT sign second agreement for the implementation of hydrogen in railway systems
The initiative seeks to advance sustainable mobility through the use of clean energy, promoting green hydrogen as an alternative fuel for national rail transport.
EFE Trenes de Chile, together with the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications, the National Hydrogen Institute (INH2) and the company Hydrox, have signed a second agreement for the development of a hydrogen propulsion system in electric trains. This agreement, aligned with Chile’s sustainability objectives, aims to reduce CO2 emissions and promote the use of clean energy in rail transport.
The agreement provides for the development and testing of a hydrogen-powered train prototype, using a UT model that was decommissioned in 2021 and that operated in the Biotren service. This prototype will be worked on at the San Eugenio Maestranza and will undergo tests on routes defined by EFE, with the aim of evaluating its operational viability for future expansions of the project.
Regarding this initiative, the Minister of Transport and Telecommunications, Juan Carlos Muñoz, said that:
As a Government we have a strong commitment to environmental care, because we are aware of the global call to care for our planet and from Chile, we want to contribute to this task.
“In this context, one of the efforts is to reduce the carbon footprint of our transport system and that is why we are exploring the incorporation of new energy sources, such as hydrogen in other modes of transport for both passengers and cargo. This is why, with this agreement, we are laying the foundations for a very important step towards the future. One that will lay the foundations for a railway system that is powered by this clean energy. All important changes require a first step and we believe that this agreement is the starting point for that path.”
The project, in terms of financing, explores strategic alliances with national institutions and international actors. This agreement will not only allow for the construction, but also for the eventual implementation of this new technology in a service.
José Solorza, General Manager of EFE Trenes de Chile, said :
We are moving forward decisively with our Sustainability Strategy for 2035.
“This agreement reinforces our role as key players in the fight against climate change, in direct collaboration with SDG 13 “Climate Action”. We are convinced that these types of initiatives are essential to ensure efficient, safe and environmentally friendly mobility, marking a milestone in our roadmap towards cleaner and more environmentally friendly transport,”
This agreement is part of EFE’s Carbon Management Strategy, which aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035. Using hydrogen as an energy source for trains will not only reduce CO2 emissions, but will also contribute to improving energy efficiency and lowering operating costs. The announcement coincides with the International Day against Climate Change, celebrated on October 24, reinforcing the commitment to sustainability and technological innovation.
At the same time, within the framework of the company’s Development Strategy, it is preparing with new technologies for the upcoming rolling stock renewals and the challenges of growing passenger and cargo services in the different regions of the country.
The development of this project marks an important milestone in Chile’s transition towards a cleaner, more efficient and sustainable rail transport model.
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Chile – EFE and MTT sign second agreement for the implementation of hydrogen in railway systems, source
