Türkiye will use solar energy to produce freight railcars, including railcars for transporting military tanks and refueling cars, at the TÜRASAŞ facility in Sivas. The investment is part of the Ankara authorities’ plans to expand the use of renewable energy in the railway industry.
According to the Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, the energy produced in Sivas will also be used to manufacture strategic freight railcars, including cars for transporting military tanks and fuel supply cars.
“This factory will produce freight cars using solar energy, particularly cars for transporting military tanks and fuel supply cars,” said Abdulkadir Uraloğlu.
4.5 Million kWh Per Year Solar Power Plant in Sivas
The investment in Sivas is part of Türkiye’s strategy to expand the use of renewable energy in rail vehicle production. The Turkish minister linked the project to the national goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2053.
The new photovoltaic plant at TÜRASAŞ Sivas is expected to produce 4.5 million kWh of electricity annually. According to Turkish authorities, this amount is equivalent to the annual energy needs of approximately 1,000 households.
Uraloğlu stated that the investment will enable the site’s electricity needs to be fully covered by renewable sources.
“With this facility, we will produce 4.5 million kWh of electricity annually and meet a demand equivalent to the annual consumption of approximately 1,000 households. In this way, we will meet the entire electricity needs of our campus from renewable sources,” the minister said.
Model Already Implemented in Sakarya
Türkiye has already implemented a similar project at the TÜRASAŞ regional facility in Sakarya, where a solar power plant has begun producing energy used directly in industrial processes.
According to Uraloğlu, solar energy is used there for the production of the National High-Speed Train, Gaziray trains, and other rail vehicles.
“The energy we need for the production of the National High-Speed Train, Gaziray, and other rail vehicles is now being obtained from the sun. In this way, we are reducing energy costs and increasing competitiveness in production,” stated the Turkish minister.
The solar power plant in Sakarya can produce approximately 3.35 million kWh of electricity annually, equivalent to the consumption of about 670 households. Authorities estimate that the investment prevents the emission of approximately 1,739 tons of carbon dioxide per year.
TÜRASAŞ, an industrial tool for rolling stock
TÜRASAŞ, a company under the Turkish government, plays a central role in Ankara’s program to develop domestic rolling stock production. Through investments in Sakarya and Sivas, authorities are seeking to link the modernization of the railway industry to reduced energy costs and environmental goals.
The Ministry of Transport states that the use of sustainable technologies in the production of rail vehicles will be further expanded, in parallel with the development of Türkiye’s industrial capabilities in the railway sector.
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