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Railway Strategy
Renfe has begun the homologation process for its high-speed trains in Portugal, a strategic shift prompted by delays and regulatory hurdles in France. Transport Minister Óscar Puente confirms that the company will focus its efforts on the Portuguese market, considered more accessible.
The rail operator Renfe has begun the homologation process for its high-speed trains in Portugal, a change of course in its internationalization strategy in the face of continuous regulatory obstacles that hinder its expansion in FranciaAccording to the Minister of Transport, Óscar Puente, in an interview with Europa PressThe focus now shifts to the Portuguese market, which presents a more favorable scenario for growth.
The trains selected for this new phase are the series 106 and 107 manufacturer TalgoSpecifically designed with the versatility needed to operate on different track gauges. This technical feature is key to their adaptation to the Portuguese network, which shares the Iberian gauge with Españathus facilitating operational integration.
Strategic shift towards the Portuguese market
The decision to prioritize the Portuguese market stems from a pragmatic assessment of the current situation. The expansion of Renfe en Francia Its development has been slowed by regulatory barriers that have, to date, prevented its services from reaching key cities such as París"We need to analyze reality and not stubbornly cling to things that seem difficult, so we are changing our ideas, focusing them more on..." Portugal"," the minister explained. Puente.
Portugal It not only offers a more accessible regulatory environment, but also a strategic opportunity due to the imminent development of its own high-speed network. The minister believes that entering this market will be "easier" and highlights the alignment between the two Iberian countries to improve their cross-border connections, in contrast to the lack of progress on the French corridor. Despite the obstacles, the government maintains its objective of establishing high-speed connections with Francia y Portugal are operational in 2030.
Talgo delays and a warning to European industry
This strategic move occurs in a context marked by the delays in the delivery of rolling stock by TalgoThe delivery of the 107 series trains is now two years behind schedule, adding to the problems with the 106 series, which have already resulted in a fine of 116 million euros for the manufacturer. Puente He did not rule out further sanctions for the new breaches, stating that "all circumstances" will be analyzed once the final delivery date is set.
The minister framed the problems of Talgo in a capacity crisis affecting the entire European rail industry, mentioning other major manufacturers such as Alstom, Siemens y StadlerIn this regard, he issued a stark warning about the risk that a lack of competitiveness could open the door to Asian manufacturers. "There will come a time when, if the industry is unable to manufacture at reasonable prices and within reasonable timeframes," he said, " the Chinese will enter"," he stated, drawing a parallel with what had happened in the automotive sector.
| Rolling Stock | Manufacturer | Actual state | Financial impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serie 106 | Talgo | Delayed delivery | A fine of 116 million euros was imposed. |
| Serie 107 | Talgo | It is two years behind schedule. | Possibility of new sanctions under evaluation |
The minister considers it unacceptable that the complete cycle of a train, from its manufacture to its commissioning, extends to an average of six years, and urged Europa to take action before the railway sector replicates the crisis in other industrial sectors.
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