Rail Baltica Signs Europe’s Largest Railway Electrification Contract
Rail Baltica’s €1.77 billion electrification contract with COBELEC Rail Baltica covers 870 km of track using Static Frequency Converter (SFC) technology and 2x25kV technology for efficiency.
www.railbaltica.org
On 15 September 2025, Vilnius hosted the ceremonial signing of the Rail Baltica electrification subsystem design and construction contract. The event brought together the management teams of the Rail Baltica delivery organizations, representatives from the three Baltic states’ ministries, industry partners, and the joint venture formed by Cobra and Elecnor, “COBELEC Rail Baltica”.
The contract, valued at EUR 1.77 billion (excluding VAT), has been awarded to COBELEC Rail Baltica – a consortium formed by the Spanish companies Cobra Instalaciones y Servicios S.A. and Elecnor Servicios y Proyectos S.A.U. It covers the full deployment of the Rail Baltica Energy (ENE) subsystem. The first phase, with a budget of EUR 949 million (excluding VAT), is scheduled for completion by 2030.
Mme Catherine Trautmann, the European Coordinator for the North Sea-Baltic TEN-T Corridor, congratulated the project on this important milestone: “Coordination, ensured through the joint venture with the national organisations, is key for such a project. Today’s signing of the electrification contract underscores the joint commitment of all project partners to build a unified and interoperable railway line across national border. In the current geopolitical climate, strengthening the connection between the Baltic states and the rest of the Eropean Union is more important than ever. I wish all project participants success in this ambitious common undertaking!”
Marko Kivila, CEO and Chairperson of the Management Board of RB Rail AS, underlined the project’s strategic importance: “Electrification is not only about powering trains - it is about enabling sustainable mobility, ensuring interoperability with the European network, and securing long-term energy efficiency for the entire region. At the same time, this is a highly complex agreement. To ensure that every necessary step is taken and the timeline remains aligned with the overall Rail Baltica development, the electrification works will be implemented in parallel with the wider project.”
Rail Baltica will electrify 870 km of railway and 2,403 km of tracks across Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, making it the largest railway electrification project in Europe and one of the largest worldwide. It will also pioneer the large-scale use of Static Frequency Converter (SFC) technology combined with 2x25kV in a 50 Hz system, powered by ten traction substations. This approach will ensure long-term reliability, efficiency, and strong environmental performance.
“The electrification contract is a major step for Rail Baltica. By selecting a single contractor for both design and construction, we ensure efficiency, consistency, and cost control. This approach allows us to cut life-cycle costs, improve energy efficiency, and deliver clear environmental benefits,” said Aiga Benfelde, Senior Contract Manager at RB Rail AS and Chairperson of the Procurement Commission.
Representatives of “COBELEC Rail Baltica” expressed the consortium’s commitment: “This contract marks a major milestone in Rail Baltica’s development, and we are proud to lead Europe’s largest railway electrification project. Cobra and Elecnor have a proven track record of delivering customised, high-quality solutions. Drawing on our combined expertise, we have a solid history of executing complex projects to the highest standards. We are committed to supporting Rail Baltica’s strategic role in strengthening regional connectivity and EU integration.”
The awarding of the contract followed a procurement process launched in May 2022. Four international consortia applied, with three shortlisted in 2023. The joint venture formed by Cobra and Elecnor was ultimately selected for its strong technical solution, cost efficiency, and sustainability credentials. This symbolic moment follows the electronic signing on 31 July 2025, which marked the formal launch of Europe’s largest railway electrification project.
www.railbaltica.com
