Afumex cables for the Danish light rail project

The Group will supply low voltage cables for the Light Rail Project  that will combine tram and tram-train systems

Prysmian Group will supply about 300km of low voltage cables for the new Aarhus Letbane or Light Rail Project, the first light rail project in Denmark. Currently under construction in the city of Aarhus, it will combine tram and tram-train systems.

Prysmian will supply LV Afumex armoured insulated cables for a total amount of €1 million. They will be produced in Italy, in the Merlino and Giovinazzo plants, and will cover over 75% of LV cable requirements. “This type of cable is increasingly in demand by public authorities and organisations for its fire-resistant properties and ability to protect people and equipment from toxic and corrosive gas and in all poorly ventilated areas,” stated Michele Mossio, T&I and OEM director of Prysmian Italy. “Afumex cables continue to operate in the event of fire and guarantee their duration of survival in working condition. Our safest cables will be supplied from Italy and installed in one country of the Nordics Region, underlining the importance of the collaboration among Prysmian Group’s affiliates.”

The customer is Ansaldo STS, part of the Italian-German consortium together with Stadler Pankow that was awarded the turnkey project in 2014 to build and equip the first stage of Aarhus light rail project. Ansaldo STS is an Italian transportation company with a global presence in the field of railway signalling and integrated transport systems for passenger traffic (Railway / Mass Transit) and freight operations. Stadler Pankow will supply the rolling stock, while Ansaldo STS is responsible for providing infrastructure including rails, overhead signalling, and control and maintenance centre.

The first light rail project in Denmark, named Aarhus Light Rail Project or Aarhus Letbane, has been under construction since 2013. When completed, it will introduce tram-train system in Aarhus, Denmark's second biggest city. Scheduled for completion in 2017, the first phase of the light rail project will involve approximately 110km of light rail line serving 51 stops in the Aarhus area.

The first stage of the light rail transit project will use two existing single-track heavy rail lines running into the city's main rail station Aarhus Hovedbanegård (Aarhus H), and 12km of newly constructed double-track light rail line passing through the most densely populated part of Aarhus. The 12km double-track line starting from Nørreport, north of Aarhus H, will pass through key locations in the Aarhus city such as Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus University, Skejby and Lisbjerg, before connecting to the existing Grenaa line at Lystrup.

The Aarhus Light Rail Project is estimated to contribute 47GW of annual energy savings and reduce 7,300t of CO² emissions each year.