Alstom reaffirms commitment to developing sustainable transport systems in Saudi Arabia
Firm says Hesop technology will cut about three million kg of carbon emissions and decrease power consumption by 6.6m kilowatts per annum on Riyadh Metro
Alstom has reiterated its commitment to Saudi Arabia, saying it will continue to shape the future of transport systems and deliver best-in-class mobility solutions and projects.
The firm says it is a key supporter and facilitator of the country’s goal to enhance interconnectivity and development of major rail and metro projects, in line with Vision 2030.
“Saudi Arabia has a long and rich history of innovation across various industries, and Alstom is extremely proud to have been entrusted by the Kingdom to have such a strong presence in driving that innovation in its transport and energy industries for almost 70 years,” remarked Yasser Omar, managing director for Alstom in Saudi Arabia.
By 2024, Saudi Arabia is expected to have spent over $48bn on rail projects. At the forefront of this major investment in rail transport is the Riyadh Metro: the largest single-phase metro system project ever launched in the world, the statement from Alstom explained.
The statement noted that Riyadh Metro’s lines 4, 5 and 6 have been built from scratch by Alstom and its civil partners, as part of the FAST consortium. The fully integrated metro system is expected to provide comprehensive, citywide, mass-transit coverage.
The firm said it supplied 69 Metropolis-based Riyadh Metro trains and an Urbalis signalling system. Alstom also implemented Hesop (Harmonic Energy Saver) technology in the project. The system recovers electrical energy generated by trains during braking, which, in addition to reducing operational costs, will cut about three million kg of carbon emissions and decrease power consumption by 6.6m kilowatts per annum, the statement explained.
The firm remarked that one of the key factors in its commitment is Saudi Arabia’s ambition to lead the way in reducing transport emissions, relieving traffic congestion, improving residents’ health and quality of life, and progressively decarbonising rail transit in the Middle East, said the statement from Alstom.
“Today, with our sole focus being transport and mobility, we continue our support of the Kingdom’s economic growth and development, alongside its Vision for 2030, through the enhancement of infrastructure and the supply of sustainable solutions such as the Riyadh Metro,” remarked Omar.
