Banedanmark is currently electrifying the majority of the Danish regional railway network in the period between 2014 and 2029. Approximately 1.150 km of railway will be ready for the future climate friendly electrical trains, which are powered by electricity instead of diesel.
1756 km of railway has already been electrified: the main section between Øresund and Padborg via Storebælt and Lillebælt, as well as the sections Tinglev-Sønderborg and Copenhagen-Helsingør.
The Electrification Programme includes the following sections:
- Esbjerg-Lunderskov (completed i 2017)
- Copenhagen-Ringsted (completed i 2019)
- Køge Nord-Næstved (completed i 2019)
- Ringsted-Holeby (Ringsted-Næstved completed in 2021, Næstved-Vordingborg completed in 2023).
- Roskilde-Kalundborg
- Fredericia-Aarhus
- Aarhus-Aalborg
A high-voltage network provides power to the electric trains. The power is transmitted through cables to a transformer station where it is transformed from 150 kv to the 25 kv that the electric trains use. The power is led to the trains via overhead contact wires hanging from 7-meter-tall masts, which are placed at intervals of 15-60 meters.
Apart from the electrification itself, the project also includes; reconstruction of bridges to make room for overhead contact wires underneath, immunisation of other installations towards electrification, clearing of vegetation along the railway etc.
Why electrifiction?
Electrifying the majority of the state railway network helps setting the framework for a more modern railway with cheaper and more stable train service at the same time as electrical power-driven trains are for the benefit of the environment. Thus, electrification contributes to ensuring a reliable and attractive railway benefiting passengers, operators as well as the environment.
Electrification allows for:
- Shorter travel time – electric trains can drive at a higher speed (160-250 km/h), and they accelerate and brakes faster
- Less noise when the trains leave the platforms
- Cheaper and more stable train service
- Lower costs of operation and maintenance
- Electric trains have environmental benefits - reduction of CO2 emissions and particle pollution