Alstom is producing new electric locomotives in Kazakhstan, with an agreement established between the French manufacturer and Kazakhstan’s national railway company, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ). This was reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

producing new electric locomotives
Photo: Radist_kz/railgallery

The document was signed during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s state visit to France, where they discussed railway infrastructure development plans.

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The new KZ6A freight electric locomotive, equipped with asynchronous traction motors, will replace older VL80 models that have been in service since the Soviet era.

Alstom Expands Producing New Electric Locomotives for Freight Transport in Kazakhstan

Production will be set up at the EKZ plant in Astana, which already plays a vital role in locomotive manufacturing. Although the agreement does not disclose detailed technical specifications, the project is expected to significantly enhance freight operations.

Alstom initially announced the KZ6A model in 2010 when the company entered the Kazakhstan market and established the EKZ plant. At that time, the plan was to create six-axle locomotives specifically for container transport. However, the 2012 contract between Alstom and KTZ included only two types of electric locomotives: the freight KZ8A and passenger KZ4AT, both built on the Prima platform.

In 2021, Alstom began developing its Traxx platform, acquired through the Bombardier Transportation merger. The new agreement includes supplying KTZ with an additional 117 freight electric locomotives by 2028. The financing of this deal has been facilitated by a preferential loan from Société Générale, highlighting France’s support for this collaborative effort.

Alstom will also invest approximately €50 million to construct four service centers for electric locomotives in Kazakhstan, creating around 700 jobs. Previously, the company announced plans to increase localization in Kazakhstan’s rolling stock production to 39% within the coming years, compared to 31% in 2022.

Thus, Alstom’s initiative to expand production capabilities and service infrastructure in Kazakhstan marks a crucial step toward modernizing the country’s railway sector and strengthening economic relations with France.

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