Adif AV reaches a new milestone in the development of railway connections in Extremadura, with the placing in tension, on September 10 at 23.59 hours, of an additional 34.7 km of catenary in two sections: between the exit of the Badajoz station and the Portuguese border (4.5 km), and in the future Baipás de Mérida (30.2 km), where work is being done on the installation of the traffic control system.
With the energization of the conductors of the overhead contact line for electric traction - at 25,000 volts in alternating current, parameters used in the high-speed network - the electrification works of the high-speed route are completed in the connection Plasencia–Cáceres–Mérida–Badajoz-Portuguese border. In total, 230 km that include the newly built electrified tracks and the conventional network sections connected to the corridor that give it integral functionality.
The tensioning of the catenary and its associated systems will allow the start of the testing phase of these facilities, mandatory for their commissioning, as well as the necessary checks on the traction substation and the signalling and communication facilities.
Performances in progress in Extremadura
Adif AV develops the actions that complete the connection of Extremadura in high speed: in the Plasencia and Badajoz section, already in service and electrified, progress is made in the deployment of the advanced ERTMS signaling system.
Between Talayuela and Plasencia (70 km), the drafting of the project for the laying of the tracks is under way, and, while the platform is built, which is already finished in two sections, in another two its execution is completed and, in addition, progress is made in three more sections. In addition, in this same stretch, progress is being made in the execution of singular works such as the Dehesa del Terzuelo tunnel (1.5 km long), which took place on July 5.
Likewise, the construction of the branch connecting to Plasencia has already been commissioned and the renovation of roads, platforms and other elements of the stations of Aljucén, Badajoz, Mérida - whose access from Aljucén is going to be duplicated and renovated - and Cáceres has been completed.
The Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, for its part, addresses the Informative Study of the Madrid-Oropesa section.
High Speed Electrification System
The electrification of the Plasence-Badajoz section is based on an alternating current system of 2x25 kV and 50 hertz frequency. The power supply to the line is made by means of traction substations, which transform the voltage from 400 kV to the 2x25 kV required by the catenary.
The electrification of the line contributes to a safer and more sustainable circulation. This feeding system also allows a better distribution of currents and is deployed in the new high-speed lines of Spain. The system allows to extend the distance between traction substations, placing them at about 60-65 km, with the consequent savings in facilities and impact on the environment.
European funds
This action, which contributes to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9 - which has among its goals to develop reliable, sustainable and quality infrastructures - is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). A way to make Europe.