PARIS-(BUSINESS WIRE)–Regulatory news:
Getlink (Paris:GET) announces that Eurotunnel has commissioned the world’s most powerful static compensator (VSC technology) connected to a railway electric traction system, STATCOM. This technology, developed by GE and in collaboration with Eurostar, is the result of an investment of 45 million euros1 and 5 years of research. Eurotunnel will double the reactive compensation power in the Channel Tunnel and improve the stability of its electricity network, especially during peak periods.
Eurotunnel will be able to simultaneously run up to 16 trains of the latest generation through the Channel Tunnel, i.e. up to 1,000 trains per day, confirming its potential to develop low-carbon cross-Channel transport. STATCOM technology will ensure the long-term efficiency of Eurotunnel’s infrastructure and open up new opportunities for growth by facilitating access to services across the channel for next-generation high-speed trains.
Nicola Brossier, director of engineering and projects of the Eurotunnel stated: “True to its pioneering spirit, the Channel Tunnel welcomes the world’s largest STATCOM system in a railway environment. This state-of-the-art technology system reinforces the reliability and capacity of our infrastructure and ensures optimal operational performance for our customers 24/7.”
“Ensuring a stable and constant flow of electricity to this vital link is critical. We are proud to have worked with valued customer Getlink to facilitate the successful upgrade of the traction network for the Channel Tunnel, which will ensure millions of passengers continue to travel safely and efficiently between the UK and France“, he added Johan Bindele, Business Leader for Grid Systems Integration, GE Grid Solutions. “GE’s STATCOM technology is the primary solution for providing tunnel power stability and helping navigate the complex environment our customers face today.
Amar Chaabi, Chief Operating Officer of Eurostar Group, stated: “As pioneers in high-speed rail transport in Europe, Eurostar Group is proud to be part of this adventure that pushes the boundaries of cross-Channel travel. By improving infrastructure efficiency and increasing the number of trains passing through the tunnel, this new technological advance will support our ambitious target of carrying 30 million passengers a year by 2030 on our network.”
**********************************
About GE Grid Solutions
Grid Solutions, a business of GE Renewable Energy, serves customers worldwide with more than 12,000 employees. Grid Solutions provides energy companies and industries worldwide with equipment, systems and services to reliably and efficiently transfer energy from the point of generation to the end users of energy. Grid Solutions focuses on addressing the challenges of the energy transition by enabling the safe and reliable connection of renewable and distributed energy resources to the grid. We are electrifying the world with advanced grid technologies and accelerating the energy transition. For more information about GE’s Grid solutions, visit https://www.gegridsolutions.com.
About Eurostar Group:
-
Launched in September 2019, the proposed union between Eurostar and Thalys received approval from the European Commission at the end of March 2022, leading to the creation of a holding company, Eurostar Group, on 1 May 2022.
-
Eurostar Group is owned by SNCF Voyages Développement (55.75%), CDPQ (19.31%), SNCB (18.50%) and funds managed by Federated Hermes Infrastructure (6.44%).
-
The holding company is based in Brussels and holds 100% of the shares of Eurostar International Limited (Eurostar) and THI Factory SA (Thalys), which remain fully fledged railway companies and are headquartered in London and Brussels respectively.
-
The ambition is to provide an attractive alternative to road and air transport and to accelerate the transition from 19 million passengers carried in 2019 to 30 million within 10 years.
-
The new company will offer the largest international high-speed network in Western Europe and has set itself the goal of rolling out an ambitious environmental policy over the next few years.
www.eurostar.com
About Getlink:
Getlink SE (Euronext Paris: GET) is, through its subsidiary Eurotunnel, the holder of the Channel Tunnel infrastructure concession until 2086. Eurotunnel operates truck and passenger (cars and buses) shuttle services between Folkestone (UK) and Calais (France) . It provides the fastest, most reliable, easiest and most environmentally friendly route across the English Channel. Since its opening in 1994, more than 476 million people and 98 million vehicles have traveled through the Channel Tunnel. Carrying 25% of UK-EU trade, this unique land link has become a vital link between the continent and the UK. This performance is enhanced by ElecLink, the new electrical interconnector installed inside the tunnel. Getlink’s sustainable mobility service offering is complemented by its rail freight subsidiary, Europorte, which offers a wide range of integrated rail services. Committed to “low-carbon” services and reduced environmental impact (the Group prevents the equivalent of 2 million tonnes of CO2 emissions per year through its activities), Getlink places people, nature and territories at the center of its concerns.
1 Includes all costs inherent to the project