Current project phase
Cuba
Our firm has undertaken an exhaustive technical study of the compatibility of 8 electric railcars and 4 towed vehicles from the Uetliberg railway in Zurich, prematurely withdrawn from service due to a change in the supply voltage of this network, in order to offer them to the “Hershey” electric railway network in Cuba, mainly linking Havana to Matanzas, whose technical characteristics are similar to those of the Uetliberg.
A simple logic of support for the circular economy has therefore naturally pushed for their reuse and not their demolition. In order to guarantee a long use of this equipment in Cuba, a complete overhaul of the electrical part has been analyzed in detail by the manufacturer of these vehicles, the company Siemens.
Our firm has undertaken to organize the complete logistics of transporting these vehicles from Susise to Cuba, by road, river and finally sea, as well as the container transport of numerous spare parts.
A plan to train local maintenance teams in the upkeep of this equipment, in order to guarantee its longevity, was also proposed by our firm in collaboration with SIEMENS Portugal.
The repercussions of the COVID crisis and then the conflict in Ukraine made it impossible for the Cuban side to provide the funding it was supposed to, and this transfer of vehicles unfortunately proved impossible
However, the Cuban Ministry of Transport (MITRANS) is keen to continue working with our firm, in particular on the renovation of the network’s supply substations, the renovation of the contact line and the decarbonization of its power generation. Our firm is therefore likely to be involved in this project for several years to come.
At the same time, a project to supply two solar power plants is underway in Cuba. The first project is a 1 MWp plant, with an investment of some CHF 1,000,000. This project has already been formally announced to the Cuban authorities, and the financing arrangements are currently being examined. In the other case, a smaller power plant costing an estimated CHF 300,000 will be used primarily to generate low-cost electricity for low-income families and to supply power to the Hershey railway workshop.
Finally, the first delivery of Hershey maintenance equipment on the Havana-Matanzas line took place in November 2023. This will streamline all types of work on rail vehicles.
Madagascar
For several years, the Malagasy government has been trying to upgrade the Malagasy railway lines (MADARAIL) entering the center of the capital Antananarivo, in order to create a real axis of efficient urban railway service.
Eight three-element compositions and two two-element compositions of Swiss origin, purchased second-hand and in perfect working order, are now in Antanarivo. These vehicles have been in storage for over two years without being driven, and a series of inspection operations are required before they can be put back into service in Madagascar. COMED has offered its services for this purpose.
All of these vehicles are basically compatible with MADARAIL’s lines, but they are not electrified. Moreover, the production of electricity for general use is not always sufficient to cover the country’s needs.
Our firm COMED laid the foundations for the electrification of a first line, as well as supplying solar power plants financed by Swiss investors to supply this railway line with traction power, and also provide industrial power for general use.
At the same time, as in Cuba, it would be a matter of training local personnel and adapting the workshop to the maintenance of vehicles with electric traction.
