Renfe awards Siemens €1.218 billion contract for 30 high-speed trains

Spanish national railway Renfe has awarded Siemens Mobility a contract worth €1.218 billion to manufacture 30 Velaro Novo high-speed trains, with an option to purchase 10 additional units. The agreement includes the necessary elements for maintenance and aims to modernize Renfe's fleet to compete in a liberalized market against operators like Iryo and Ouigo.

The new Velaro Novo models are an evolution of the existing Series 103. They are designed to reach speeds of 350 km/h and feature a more efficient configuration of seven cars that increases capacity to 520 passengers per train. Technical improvements include reduced weight, better aerodynamics to minimize noise in tunnels, and improved energy efficiency.

Renfe specified that the first five units must be delivered within 40 months, with the full order completed within 62 months. The company emphasized the importance of adhering to these timelines to avoid previous delivery delays experienced with other manufacturers. The trains will feature amenities such as reversible seats, power outlets, and USB connections at every seat.