Tetas has completed the contracting works within Litgrid’s scope of the project to connect the Linkaičiai traction transformer substation to the electricity transmission grid. The new facility is the fourth of six traction substations that will supply electricity to electric trains operating on Lithuania’s main Vilnius–Klaipėda railway corridor.
The project included the construction of a new 110/27.5 kV switchyard and a 1.7 km double-circuit 110 kV overhead line. An 8.654 km section of the Šeduva–Radviliškis 110 kV overhead line was also fully refurbished. The newly constructed switchyard and overhead lines will be owned by Litgrid.
The new traction substation was constructed on behalf of railway infrastructure manager LTG Infra, which financed the design and construction works.
“The connection of the Linkaičiai traction substation to the transmission grid is the second project we have completed in support of the electrification of the Vilnius–Klaipėda railway line. By carrying out contracting works at three of the six traction substations along this railway corridor, we are contributing to the development of energy and transport infrastructure of strategic importance to Lithuania. Projects of this scale require strong technical expertise and close cooperation with partners, while helping to ensure a reliable electricity transmission network for future electric train services,” says Julius Pilvelis, Chief Engineer of the Electrical Engineering Department at Tetas.
“We are consistently developing the electricity transmission infrastructure required for this railway electrification project of national importance. Connecting the Linkaičiai traction substation is another step that brings us closer to this objective together with our partners,” says Karolis Sabaliauskas, Head of the Strategic Infrastructure Department at Litgrid.
Once LTG Infra completes the Vilnius–Klaipėda electrification project, a 363 km overhead contact line system will have been installed. The project includes the construction, connection to the electricity transmission grid and testing of six traction substations in Lentvaris, Žeimiai, Linkaičiai, Tarvainiai, Kretinga and Žasliai.
The Vilnius–Klaipėda line is the most intensively used railway route in Lithuania, carrying approximately 40% of all rail freight and 16% of passenger traffic. Electrification of the line will help reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions while improving the efficiency and competitiveness of rail transport.
