Romania Cancels Purchase of Hydrogen Trains, Redirects Funds to Highway Construction

Romania has decided to cancel its planned purchase of 12 hydrogen-powered trains, a project that would have cost 360 million euros, according to Railway Supply. The funding for the hydrogen trains was initially intended to come from the Resilience and Recovery Facility (PNRR). However, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu announced that the funds will now be redirected towards the construction of new highways.

During a meeting with European Union representatives in Brussels, Ciolacu explained that despite three attempts to conduct a tender for the hydrogen trains, no interested participants emerged. These trains were intended for use on non-electrified sections of Romania's railways, which make up 80% of the network, one of the lowest electrification rates in the EU.

The decision to abandon hydrogen trains highlights a shift in Romania's transportation strategy, prioritizing road infrastructure over environmentally friendly rail solutions. Meanwhile, other European countries like Germany, France, Spain, and Italy continue to adopt hydrogen trains, seeing them as a crucial part of reducing carbon emissions.

In contrast, Romania’s decision could be seen as a setback in the EU's broader decarbonization efforts, raising concerns among environmentalists and industry experts about the country's commitment to sustainable transport development.

Source: railway supply