KONČAR | World Engineering Day

KONČAR

PARTNER STORY

“These advanced trains will transform the future of rail travel, creating cleaner and greener cities.”

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

Powering the future

An industrial edge

KONČAR has put Croatia on the world map of industry. The company started out in 1921 as a manufacturer of electrical motors, and its longstanding expertise now competes on a global scale in the field of power engineering.

Its products, services, and innovations span power generation, power transmission and power distribution; urban mobility and infrastructure; and digital solutions and platforms.

Above all, KONČAR’s technologies are paving the way to energy sustainability. In recognizing the need for critical infrastructure, KONČAR has been at the cutting edge of the development and construction of renewable energy sources for decades. It develops and constructs hydro, solar, and wind power plants, including their maintenance and management, and is at the vanguard of eco-friendly urban mobility.

Electrifying travel

KONČAR’s battery-powered trains are game-changers in the electrification of transport and already run on Croatia’s local and regional rail network, enhancing connectivity. The Battery Multiple Units (BMUs) and Battery Electric Multiple Units (BEMUs) embody the company’s vision for the future of transportation – quiet, efficient, and flexible.

“BMU’s are less noisy, more energy efficient, and designed for passenger transport on non-electrified lines,” says Josip Ninić, CEO of KONČAR Electric Vehicles. “These advanced trains are powered by onboard batteries, which are recharged through stable energy connections.”

BEMUs, meanwhile, with their dual battery and electric power capabilities, provide a flexible alternative for areas with both electrified and non-electrified tracks.

Both models offer an environmentally friendly alternative to diesel-powered trains and are supported by KONČAR’s network of state-of-the-art fast-charging stations.

Where in the world?

Headquartered in the Croatian capital, Zagreb, KONČAR’s reach spans across the globe. The company employs more than 5,400 people and is Croatia’s largest net exporter to some 130 countries.

Green goals

To accelerate the green transition of Croatia’s energy systems and reduce the industry’s carbon footprint, KONČAR is taking the lead with flagship projects in the renewables sector.

In 2023, KONČAR completed the construction of the largest solar power plant in the country, Donja Dubrava SPP. The plant comprises 23,114 photovoltaic panels installed on 17.6 hectares of land. It generates 14GWh of power annually and can be controlled and monitored by smartphone using KONČAR’s high-tech digital platform, the PROZA NET SCADA system.

What does a sustainable future look like?

By developing quieter and more energy efficient trains with a low carbon footprint, KONČAR is working towards reducing the environmental impact of public transport. This is in line with SDG 11, which aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

“At KONČAR, we are thrilled to see how these advanced trains will transform the future of rail travel, creating cleaner and greener cities … that significantly reduce the carbon footprint of urban mobility,” says Gordan Kolak, CEO of KONČAR Group.