New sustainable modern railway inaugurated in Czech Republic

Alina Oprea
The renovated railway service in South Moravia, one of the biggest Cohesion Policy investments in the Czech Republic, was inaugurated and opened to passengers. The renovation of this line, involving - 37 new electric units - will contribute to the de-congestion of traffic during peak hours in the busy South-Moravian railway, which transports approximately 22 million passengers every year. This project was approved in December 2019 and benefitted from €223 million of Cohesion Policy funding from the 2014-2020 programming period, out of a total budget of €265 million. The reinforced railway system offers new modern rolling stock covering services on the two busiest regional rail lines around the regional capital Brno.

The new electric and energy-efficient trains, counting for more than 10,000 seats, replace obsolete and old vehicles, offering passengers safer, faster, and more comfortable journeys. It is expected that more people will feel motivated to take the train.

Each unit is named after a variety of wines typical for the South Moravian region.

A modern European ETCS train security system is installed, and the train will reach speeds of up to 160 km/h.

”The new railway units will provide efficient rail services and contribute to making the European Green Deal a reality. I am happy that this project is being inaugurated today and will now concretely improve the life of Czech citizens in South Moravia”, says Elisa Ferreira, Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms.

In 2014-2020, Czechia benefited from Cohesion Policy funding worth €25.7 billion. The renovation of the railway has been financed by the Transport Operational Programme, which is funded by the Cohesion Fund (€3.5 billion) and the European Regional Development Fund envelope (€900 million).

For the 2021-2027 programming period €21 billion of Cohesion Policy funding has been made available to Czechia to implement joint EU priorities such as a balanced territorial development and a fair climate and digital transition, whilst supporting an innovative and inclusive social market economy.

Cohesion Policy will also continue supporting sustainable and smart mobility development in Czechia.

The new Transport program will improve the transport infrastructure in Czechia, including sustainable and safer mobility in Czech cities with a budget of more than €4.8 billion. Under this program, the Cohesion Fund will make €800 million available for sustainable urban mobility. This will also include building or renovating tram and trolleybus lines in main Czech agglomerations.

RECOMMENDED
Reckitt signs major lease at Garbe Park Klášterec nad Ohří
Real estate

Reckitt signs major lease at Garbe Park Klášterec nad Ohří

Garbe has started construction of a new 55,000 sqm hall at Garbe Park Klášterec nad Ohří II, with global consumer goods company Reckitt becoming the anchor tenant. The British multinational has leased 35,000 sqm of industrial space under a ten-year agreement and will move in during the Q2 2026.

New energy certificates directive shifts from recommendations to sanctions
Real estate

New energy certificates directive shifts from recommendations to sanctions

Only 14% of office buildings across the Prague market have achieved an Energy Performance Certificate in class A or B, with older properties having a higher probability of being classified in lower energy performance classes. An internal Savills survey, covering dozens of properties, has revealed that a significant proportion of Prague's office stock is facing the need for modernisation. 

RECOMMENDED FROM THE HOME PAGE
DSV boosts energy self-sufficiency with solar power
Energy

DSV boosts energy self-sufficiency with solar power

DSV – Global Transport and Logistics, the world's largest logistics operator, has launched a solar installation at its warehouse in Łozienica, Poland, in partnership with commercial real estate investor Accolade. The installation will meet the energy needs of Poland's first multi-client warehouse equipped with an AutoStore system.

Energy

Etem Gestamp signs cross-border wind power deal with Rezolv

Etem Gestamp, the Sofia-based joint venture between Viohalco Group and Spain's Gestamp Group focused on aluminium extrusion and processing for the automotive industry, and Rezolv Energy, the Actis-backed independent power producer, have signed a 10-year virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) in Bulgaria. The VPPA will see Etem Gestamp buy electricity from Rezolv Energy's 461MW 'Vifor' wind farm, which is about to come onstream in Buzău County, Romania. It is the first cross-border wind PPA that has been publicly announced in Bulgaria.

Energy

Microsoft hits 100% renewable energy target five years early

Microsoft has achieved its goal of matching 100% of its annual global electricity consumption with renewable energy, reaching the milestone five years ahead of its 2025 target. The achievement supports the company's commitment to become carbon negative by 2030.

Real estate

How is EU real estate navigating the CSRD changes? Take our survey

The recent weakening of the CSRD may have some real estate developers cheering the compliance rollbacks, but the consequences could be complicated. A new research survey examines how EU real estate firms are navigating changes to the CSRD, and what that could mean for upcoming SFDR revisions.

READ MORE
Green Forum  |  31 March, 2026 at 10:44 AM
Green Forum  |  30 March, 2026 at 10:00 AM