Mitsubishi Electric to Supply Traction System for NS Sprinter EMUs

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation has announced today that it has been awarded a contract by Spanish train builder Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles, S.A. (CAF) to supply high tech traction equipment for 118 New Generation Sprinter (SNG) EMUs for Dutch Railways (NS).

The project, in partnership with the Italian Branch of Mitsubishi Electric Europe B.V., was considered to be one of the biggest train supply orders in Europe during 2014. Mitsubishi Electric secured the contract to supply traction equipment to CAF based on its proven technology, which has been successful both in worldwide markets as well as the Japanese domestic market. The new trains will replace Type SGMm 2 ─ and 3 ─ car “Sprinter” EMUs and the last remaining sets of Type Mat ’64. Delivery and commercial operation of the trains is to start in 2018, with the delivery of the traction system expected to start from 2016.

The scope of the agreement includes the supply of Traction Inverters and other systems related to traction. High-efficiency, regenerative braking performance and downsized equipment will contribute to energy saving.

Mitsubishi Electric and Mitsubishi Electric Europe B.V. have been supplying Traction Inverter products to European transportation markets for some time, having implemented proven Mitsubishi Electric technology during current modernization projects with Deutsche Bahn AG (DB) Intercity Express2 (ICE-2) High-Speed train and other EMUs / Metro projects in Europe. Mitsubishi Electric also expects to see the introduction of new IGBT technology called SiC (Silicon carbide power module) to the market, which will contribute to the development of eco-friendly and energy efficient trains in Europe.