Press Release | Czech Republic | 01.04.2026 | 3 min read
Solutions will improve reliability for passengers and make the network more prepared for the growing rail transportation demand in the years ahead.
Hitachi Energy’s Static Frequency Converters 2 x 16 MVA PCS6000 installed at Správa železnic's Traction Power Substation Otrokovice
Hitachi Energy has been awarded contracts by Elektrizace železnic Praha a.s. (EŽ) to support rail expansion and modernization of the Czech Republic’s traction power system. The projects contribute to Czech Railways' (Správa železnic) long‑term electrification strategy, which includes transitioning parts of the network from direct current (DC) to a more efficient alternating‑current (AC) traction supply.
The Czech Republic has one of Europe’s densest rail networks and relies strongly on trains for both passenger and freight movement. Yet only about 35 percent of the network is electrified1, well below the European Union average of roughly 56 percent. Bridging this gap is central to improving reliability for travelers and building a network that can handle future demand.
Hitachi Energy is supporting this effort by supplying its PCS6000 Rail static frequency converters (SFCs), which create a stable, controllable interface between the public three‑phase electricity grid and the single‑phase railway system, helping ensure a stable and efficient traction power supply. The 13 converters deployed for Czech Rail will work together as part of what will become the world’s largest meshed traction grid operating at 50Hz. They dynamically share the load, reducing peak power and risk of outages. The Rail SFCs will be delivered across Plzeň, Nezamyslice, Nedakonice, and Bučovice, building on earlier deployments at Otrokovice/Říkovice, Střelná, and Kladno.
The SFC solution from Hitachi Energy allows Správa železnic to feed the 25 kV, 50Hz traction system based on a multi-source feeding concept and load sharing by multiple substations. The new arrangement enables to feed extended lines by eliminating neutral sections and in the end contributes to the increase of the passenger comfort and improvement of the working conditions for the train drivers.
SFCs also make it possible to optimize the traction power system resulting in a higher efficiency and performance, while creating conditions for increasing the train speed according to ENE TSI and maximum utilization of the regenerative energy, which is a significant benefit for train operators.
We are proud to support Czech Railways and work alongside Elektrizace železnic Praha a.s. on this important phase of the Czech Republic’s rail infrastructure development.
This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to advancing reliable and sustainable mobility. Our solutions contribute directly to addressing the energy trilemma: they help rail operators manage energy costs, ensure continuity of supply, and reduce environmental impact.
The new systems also support the country’s long‑term shift from a 3 kilovolt (kV) direct‑current (DC) traction supply to a 25 kV alternating‑current (AC) system. AC traction is widely used across Europe because it enables more efficient energy transfer, simplifies integration with national grids, and better accommodates modern electric rolling stock. For passengers, this translates into more reliable timetables, fewer disruptions, and a network that can sustain rising demand.
The PCS6000 converters are part of the Grid-enSure™ portfolio, which brings together power‑electronics‑based solutions designed to improve flexibility, resilience, and stability across electrical systems. In rail, this means optimizing how energy flows through the traction network and helping operators run a more reliable system. The converters also improve efficiency and reduce operating costs by maximizing braking‑energy recovery within the rail system, lowering the amount of electricity that must be drawn and purchased by the railway companies from the distribution grid operators. Internally modeled scenarios suggest that on a 250-kilometer railway line, the technology could reduce grid-imported power by up to 49 GWh per year2 - enough to fully charge 600,000 electric vehicles.
Contracts cover design, delivery, technical assistance, and commissioning, scheduled in phases between late 2027 and mid-2028. Each standardized CS6000 unit has a compact, containerized design that simplifies integration, shortens project timelines, and meets grid‑code requirements, meaning it operates safely and predictably on the national grid. Compliance helps maintain voltage and frequency within required limits and reduces the likelihood that grid disturbances affect train operations.
Beyond rail operations, Hitachi Energy solutions will enable Czech Railways (Správa železnic) to offer commercial services to utilities, including support for grid stability and renewable energy integration. This positions the rail infrastructure company as a contributor to national energy resilience.
Hitachi Energy is a global technology leader in electrification, powering a sustainable energy future with innovative power grid technologies with digital at the core. Over three billion people depend on our technologies to power their daily lives. With over a century in pioneering mission-critical technologies like high-voltage, transformers, automation, and power electronics, we are addressing the most urgent energy challenge of our time – balancing soaring electricity demand, while decarbonizing the power system. With an unparalleled installed base in over 140 countries, we co-create and build long-term partnerships across the utility, industry, transportation, data centers, and infrastructure sectors. Headquartered in Switzerland, we employ over 50,000 people in 60 countries and generate revenues of around $16 billion USD.
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