Today in Vilnius, the institutions of the three Baltic countries responsible for implementing the Rail Baltica project signed a historic agreement on railway electrification. The contract, valued at €1.77 billion (excluding VAT), has been awarded to COBELEC Rail Baltica – a consortium formed by the Spanish companies Cobra Instalaciones y Servicios S.A. and Elecnor Servicios y Proyectos S.A.U.

The electrification of the Rail Baltica European railway is considered the largest cross-border railway electrification initiative in Europe, implemented as a single, joint project.

“Rail Baltica is more than just infrastructure – it is an economic and security link to the West. This contract is particularly important for our integration into the European railway network, enabling smooth passenger and freight transport while strengthening the resilience of the Baltic region. It is our strategic pathway to the future,” said Eugenijus Sabutis, Acting Minister of Transport and Communications of Lithuania.

One of the largest contracts in the history of the Baltic States was signed by the institutions responsible for implementing the project: LTG Infra, the infrastructure company of the LTG Group; Eiropas Dzelzceļa Līnijas in Latvia; and Rail Baltic Estonia in Estonia. Representatives from the ministries of transport and communications of all three countries also gathered in Vilnius for the occasion.

“This agreement marks a historic milestone in Baltic cooperation and supports our transition to a more sustainable transport solution – one that will reduce long-term operating costs and contribute to climate change mitigation. Elecnor Servicios y Proyectos S.A.U. is currently electrifying the Vilnius–Klaipėda railway section, so the contractor is well-acquainted with working in Lithuania. This gives us confidence that the process will be smooth and efficient,” says Egidijus Lazauskas, CEO of LTG Group.

COBELEC Rail Baltica will electrify 870 km of railway across Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. The total length of the overhead contact line network will be 2,400 km. The electrical energy subsystem will enable both high-speed and freight trains to operate along the entire high-speed railway route. It is planned that the electricity used will be generated from renewable energy sources.

It will also pioneer the large-scale use of Static Frequency Converter (SFC) technology combined with 2x25kV in a 50 Hz system, powered by ten traction substations. This approach will ensure long-term reliability, efficiency, and strong environmental performance.

“This contract marks a major milestone in Rail Baltica’s development, and we are proud to lead Europe’s largest railway electrification project. Cobra and Elecnor have a proven track record of delivering customised, high-quality solutions. Drawing on our combined expertise, we have a solid history of executing complex projects to the highest standards. We are committed to supporting Rail Baltica’s strategic role in strengthening regional connectivity and EU integration,” say representatives of the companies forming the COBELEC Rail Baltica consortium.

Currently, 77 km of railway are under construction and under contracts in Lithuania. A contract has also been signed for the design of the section between the Lithuanian–Polish border and Kaunas (Jiesia). COBELEC Rail Baltica will be responsible for both the design and construction of the electrification subsystem.

The value of the electrification contract in Lithuania is €818 million (excluding VAT). The first stage of electrification is expected to be completed by 2030. LTG Infra will oversee the implementation of the contract works in Lithuania.

Rail Baltica is a strategic project for both the LTG Group and the European Union and is the largest railway infrastructure project in the history of the Baltic States. Once completed, it will deliver an electrified European standard gauge railway line connecting Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia with Central and Western Europe, strengthening regional integration, civil and military mobility, and the overall resilience of the transport system.