RAIL Baltica project delivery company RB Rail has announced the formal launch of what it describes as a Europe’s largest railway electrification project, with the signing of the contract to electrify the new 1435mm-gauge line under construction to connect Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia with the European Union (EU). Worth €1.77bn, the energy subsystem contract has been awarded to the Cobelec Rail Baltica consortium of Spanish companies Cobra and Elecnor. The contract covers electrification of the full 870km Rail Baltica network, comprising 2403km single track-km, making it one of the largest railway electrification projects in the world, according to RB Rail. “This approach will ensure long-term reliability, efficiency, and strong environmental performance,” RB Rail says. Tendering of the electrification contract was launched in May 2022, attracting expressions of interest from four consortia.