Kazakhstan, Astana, Feb.9 /Trend T.Nurmagambetov/
A framework agreement on the procurement of goods, works and services for the electrification of Kazakhstan's railways was signed between Kazakhstan Railways, the German concern Siemens AG and Temir Zhol. The electrification joint venture was agreed during the visit of the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev in Germany, Kazakhstan Railways said on Thursday.
The vice president of the rail Company's logistics section Erhat Iskaliev, the CEO of Temir Zhol Electrification Daniyar Uteulin and the head of the Intelligent Network of Siemens AG group John Mrozik all signed the document.
The project will modernise more than 40 traction power substations and a number of electrified railway lines in Kazakhstan. Production of the equipment will be upgraded using regional suppliers and domestic staff. The volume of using local input into the electrical equipment will increase from the current 20 per cent to more than 50 per cent. The total volume of orders will exceed 230 million euros.
"The positive relationship of Kazakh-German economic relations development in the railroad industry should be noted. Designing of the project to modernise the equipment of seven traction substations is completed at the moment. We plan to continue to cooperate with Siemens AG in the electrification of the railway with the most advanced technologies," Mr Iskaliev said.
"With our extensive know-how and experience in the field of railway electrification and automation of energy systems, we are true partners in this prestigious project in Kazakhstan", Mr Mrozik said.
The project will run from 2012-2020