The $US 3.2bn project involves the installation of 25kV 50Hz ac electrification on 420km of existing lines, which will be supplied by 14 substations.
The five shortlisted suppliers include:
- Alstom and Afcon Holdings, Israel
- CPRM (a consortium of China Railway Construction Electrification Bureau Group and Pan-Mediterranean Engineering, China),
- Elecnor, Spain
- SEMI, Spain, and
- Siemens
IR launched a tender in July for a contract to supply between 62 and 78 electric locomotives, which will be used on both freight and passenger trains.