(27/02/2017) 
The “Connecting Europe Facility” is an initiative by the European Commission which provides funding to support projects aimed at developing the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) by 2030. The plan is mainly focused on infrastructure projects, especially in the core network of the major European corridors, although in some cases there are projects in the rest of the corridors with minimum relevance (comprehensive network).

Submitted projects

– Implementation of ERTMS. The objective is to continue with the implementation of the European safety system in the Renfe fleet, with the installation and commissioning of ERTMS in trains currently running without it. The divisions Renfe Viajeros and Fabricación y Mantenimiento (as coordinator), as well as several corporate support bodies, participate in the project, which has a budget of EUR 45.6 million.

– New traction solution for the commercial field of passenger and freight services in Spain and in the rest of Europe. LNG (liquefied natural gas) traction in railway operation. The project involves Renfe –the General Directorate of Operations as coordinator –, Enagás, Gas Natural Fenosa and Bureau Veritas, and has an allocated budget of EUR 4.2 million.

– Hydrogen production and supply infrastructure study, associated with the introduction of emission-free mobility solutions based on railway units with fuel cell traction systems. In addition to Renfe, Enagás, Bureau Veritas, Alstom and Audigna participate. The study is also coordinated by the Group’s General Directorate of Operations and has a total budget of EUR 2.8 million.

– Simple (Simplification of Processes for a Logistic Enhancement) is a project aimed at increasing the reliability and efficiency of multimodal freight services (time, quality and cost) through the integration of logistics activities using new technologies (based on ITS, Intelligent Transport Systems). The project involves the participation of Renfe Mercancías, Adif and Puertos del Estado. The estimated maximum budget is EUR 2 million.