Alstom to provide Ireland’s first battery train charging facility

Train manufacturer Alstom has been awarded a contract to provide the first charging facility for battery trains in Ireland.

The French-headquartered firm will build the facility for Irish Rail’s new Battery Electric Multiple Unit (BEMU) trains, which will operate between Dublin city centre, Drogheda to the north, and elsewhere.

The fast-charging infrastructure on two platforms and one siding at Drogheda will be installed by end of 2024 to enable new battery-electric Dart+ trains, entering service in 2025, to operate to and from Drogheda in advance of planned electrification of the line. Trains will be recharged during service turnaround at Drogheda.

“Projects such as this will deliver social and economic benefits to Irish Rail passengers, and Alstom is proud to be playing a part in the first project of its kind in Ireland and the UK,” said Piers Wood, managing director of Alstom in Ireland.

Jim Meade, CEO of Irish Rail, said: “This investment will allow us to accelerate the benefits of Dart+ to customers on the Drogheda commuter route, with a brand-new fleet and extra capacity to be provided in just two years’ time.”

The infrastructure will include a medium voltage connection to network operator ESB and a traction substation converting electricity to the voltage suitable for charging the trains. The substation will be equipped with an energy storage element, enabling integration with the ESB network and enhancing availability of the charging system. The substation will provide a controlled current to trains stabled on the platforms in Drogheda Station, for recharging onboard batteries through an overhead rigid catenary system and the pantographs.

Alstom won a 10-year framework agreement with Irish Rail for up to 750 new X’trapolis commuter rail cars for the Dart network, with firm orders for 37 five-car X’trapolis trains, including a 15-year support services contract. 31 of the ordered trains are BEMUs, while six are electric multiple units.

Funded under the National Development Plan by the National Transport Authority, Dart+ will double the capacity and treble the electrification of the Greater Dublin Area network.

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