ÖBB builds world's first traction turbine

ÖBB is the largest climate protection company in Austria and electricity from renewable sources is the main pillar of the company's climate benefits.

Currently, ÖBB operates ten hydropower plants and more than 20 photovoltaic systems, thanks to which the company very successfully produces environmentally-friendly electricity for railway infrastructure. ÖBB itself produces about a third of the climate-friendly traction current required in the rail network. A wind turbine with a traction current of 16.7 Hz will make a significant contribution in the future. The generated energy will be fed directly into the railway overhead contact line.

The winds farm is to be built in Höflein (Lower Austria) the company, we play an important role in the fight against climate change. Since 2018, we have been using 100% green traction energy. With our 10 hydroelectric power plants and seven frequency converters, we make a significant contribution every day to admission people's ability to travel in a sustainable and, above all, environmentally friendly way. We are doing real pioneering work in building the world's first traction jet wind turbine and once again proving that environmental protection and resource-friendly use is a matter close to our heart'' – says ÖBB CEO Andreas Matthä.

The wind turbine has a capacity of approximately 3 MW and supplies about 1,800 train journeys per year on the Vienna to Salzburg route. The height of the turbine is approximately 200 m, the diameter of the rotor is 112 m. The total cost of this project is estimated at around EUR 6 million.