Saft batteries to provide vital backup power for Cairo's new Metro Line 4
Saft will deliver backup batteries to Kinki Sharyo for 92 Metro Line 4 trains.
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Saft, a subsidiary of TotalEnergies, has won a major contract with Kinki Sharyo, the Japanese rolling stock manufacturer, to deliver the onboard backup batteries for 92 trains destined for the new Cairo Metro Line 4 currently under construction in Egypt’s capital city. In the event of a power failure, the Saft nickel technology MRX batteries will enable critical electrical systems on the new trains, such as communications, door opening and air conditioning, for up to an hour. This will enhance the convenience and safety of the Cairo metro and encourage people to switch to public transport, boosting the quality of life in one of the world’s largest cities, with a population of nearly 23 million.
The Metro Line 4 is planned to enter passenger service in 2028. Connecting Greater Cairo from west to east, it will be 42 km long and comprise 38 stations. Since the new route will serve both the pyramids at Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum, it will be heavily used, with a predicted 2 million passengers a day.
Under the contract with Kinki Sharyo, Saft will deliver the battery systems for 92 eight-car trains, with one battery installed under the floor in each two-car section.
"The Cairo metro is a particularly demanding application for batteries where temperatures can reach 50°C. Saft’s MRX batteries meet these stringent requirements for performance, reliability and long life following the experience in other Middle East projects, such as the Doha metro".
Ignacio Quiles Saft VP Sales & Marketing IMI Division
Each battery system for Cairo’s Metro Line 4 will be built up from 76 MRX batteries to provide an energy storage capacity of 130 Amp-hours (Ah) at 110 Volts (V). MRX batteries are designed to provide high energy and power performance combined with a high level of reliability and low life cycle cost over a typical lifetime of 15 years. They are constructed from flame retardant materials that have excellent fire safety performance and meet rail safety standards. In addition, the compact size and low weight of the MRX batteries provide design flexibility for train designers. Light weight reduces the overall energy consumption of rolling stock and improves the sustainability of rail travel.
The battery kits will be manufactured at Saft’s factory in Bordeaux, France. The first deliveries for the Cairo Metro Line 4 trains will start in May 2025, with completion at the end of 2026.
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