Türkiye to Use Solar Energy in Freight Wagon Manufacturing

Sustainable production practices in Türkiye’s railway industry continue to expand. According to statements made by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, a new investment is being implemented within Türkiye Rail System Vehicles Industry Inc. (TÜRASAŞ) to increase the use of renewable energy in freight wagon manufacturing. With the rooftop solar power plant (SPP) planned to be installed at the Sivas Regional Directorate, solar energy will be utilized in the production of freight wagons that are of strategic importance.

Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu stated that this investment aims to strengthen environmentally friendly production processes in the railway sector within the scope of the 2053 Net Zero Emissions Target. Through this initiative, the Ministry seeks to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and increase energy efficiency in the manufacturing of railway vehicles.

Sivas Facility to Produce 4.5 Million kWh Energy Annualy

The rooftop solar power plant to be installed at the TÜRASAŞ Sivas Regional Directorate is expected to generate approximately 4.5 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. This amount is equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of around 1,000 households. With the planned investment, it is aimed to meet the entire electricity demand of the Sivas campus from renewable energy sources.

Minister Uraloğlu emphasized that this energy infrastructure will be used directly in production processes, stating that various freight wagons—particularly military tank transport wagons and fuel supply wagons—will be manufactured using solar energy. This approach is considered a critical step in reducing the environmental impact of railway freight transport vehicles throughout their entire life cycle.

Active Use of Solar Power Generation in Sakarya

According to the statement, TÜRASAŞ’s renewable energy investments are not limited to Sivas. It was noted that the solar power plant previously commissioned at the Sakarya Regional Directorate is already actively supplying energy to production processes. Thanks to the solar power plant in Sakarya, approximately 3.35 million kilowatt-hours of electricity are generated annually. This production level corresponds to the annual electricity needs of around 670 households.

The energy produced at the Sakarya facility is used in the manufacturing of National High-Speed Train sets, Gaziray suburban trains, and other railway vehicles. According to Ministry data, this power plant helps prevent approximately 1,739 tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year. In addition, the reduction in energy costs provides cost advantages and enhances competitiveness in production processes.

Emphasis on Sustainable Production in Railway Logistics

Freight wagons are among the core components that form the backbone of railway logistics. Ensuring that these wagons—used especially in sectors such as heavy industry, defense, energy, and agriculture—are manufactured through environmentally friendly production processes contributes to reducing the carbon footprint across the entire transportation chain.

TÜRASAŞ’s solar energy investments directly impact not only production costs but also the environmental performance of railway transportation. In parallel, Minister Uraloğlu emphasized that efforts to expand the use of environmentally friendly and sustainable technologies in railway vehicle manufacturing will continue.

Source: TÜRASAŞ