With the signing of the contract between Urban Rail Transport (STA.SY) and the contractor company "Siemens Mobility S.A.", a particularly "green" and innovative project for the Greek railways is being implemented.

It is the "renovation of two substations of Line 1 of the Metro, with simultaneous installation of an energy recovery system from the trains' electropulsing.". The CEO of STA.SY., Athanasios Kottaras, and the CEO of "Siemens Mobility S.A.", Municipality of Sapidis, both signed the contract for the project's implementation.

With this project, STA.SY takes the next, essential step in energy saving while simultaneously reducing its environmental footprint. Two Line 1 traction substations in Neo Faliro and Heraklion are being renovated to enable the installation of a system that will, in theory, enable the utilization of the energy produced by the trains' deceleration, converting the kinetic energy into electrical energy.

This new system will be installed for the first time on a railway network in Greece, and it is estimated that 4,500 MWh of energy will be recovered per year, corresponding to 12.5% of the total annual consumption on Line 1 of the Piraeus-Kifisia Metro.

The project, notes STASY, is a predominantly "green" investment that, after its initial operation on Line 1 and the evaluation of its results, will also qualify for Metro Lines 2 and 3. In addition to its environmental, energy, and economic footprint, the project will help to improve the reliability of the electricity network and reduce the number of breakdowns caused by outdated equipment. A similar system for recovering the electricity generated by slowing down trains is planned to be installed in the substations of Metro Line 4, which is currently under construction.

The relevant international tender was announced on February 5, 2024, and was carried out through an open procedure via the National System for Electronic Public Procurement (NESPA). "Siemens Mobility S.A." received funding for the project from the NSRF in the amount of 4.136.404,21€. The total contractual time for its full completion is set at 28 months.

During the signing of the contract, the CEO of STA.SY, Athanasios Kottaras, underlined: "At STA.SY, we are working to continuously upgrade our infrastructure, utilizing technology and modern tools. Although Metro and Tram are predominantly environmentally friendly means of transport, we do not rest on our laurels. We are planning and implementing actions, taking the next step in energy saving. Our facilities and systems are "greening" even further, contributing to the overall effort towards sustainable urban mobility.