Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) has announced the launch of hydrogen train tests in the Kingdom, following the signing of an agreement with the French company Alstom.
It will conduct operational tests and studies necessary to prepare this type of train to fit the Kingdom’s environment, in preparation for its future entry into service, and in compliance with the memorandum of understanding signed by the Ministry of Energy and SAR on January 20, 2022.
The trials started this October, according to SAR, which said that such trains are the first to be used in the Middle East and North Africa region. On the occasion, SAR stressed the Kingdom’s commitment to adopting sustainable transport technologies.
The certified trials of this type of train began in 2018 in Germany and continued until 2020; commercial operations, limited to passenger transport, began in 2022.
Minister of Transportation and Logistics and SAR Chairman of the Board of Directors Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser said that the step is part of the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and plans to move to a more sustainable transport system that adopts the latest smart technologies.
He stressed that SAR is committed to its leading role in achieving the Saudi Green Initiative, stemming from the Saudi Vision 2030, which stipulates increasing the Kingdom’s reliance on clean energy, reducing carbon emissions and protecting the environment.
SAR CEO Dr. Bashar Al-Malik stressed the company’s commitment to implementing initiatives that align with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy.
He said that the hydrogen train is one of the most important innovations in sustainable transport as the energy needed for the operation and movement of such trains is generated without emitting carbon, their range of benefits make them an attractive choice in the drive for sustainable energy, and that they have a positive impact on the environment, economy and the future of coming generations.
