Kazakhstan: The French manufacturer has published a detailed video on its social media channels about locomotive production at the EKZ plant in Astana. It notes that assembling one section takes two months. Overall, EKZ’s production capacity allows for up to 100 electric locomotive sections per year.
The plant has been operational since 2012. Over this period, the localisation level has risen from 4% to 37%, and it is set to increase to 39% next year. The site employs 1,300 people.
Video of Alstom freight electric locomotive production in Kazakhstan. Source: Alstom
Alstom currently has a long-term contract with national operator Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ). It covers the supply and maintenance of 250 two-section freight KZ8A electric locomotives and 119 single-section passenger KZ4AT units (both on the TraxxHauler platform, formerly Prima). It was also stated that Alstom would supply KTZ with 245 electric locomotives in 2023–2029.
Last year, it was announced that the plant would commence production of a new model of freight electric locomotives with asynchronous traction motors, the six-axle KZ6A. This locomotive will also be built on the TraxxHauler platform.
As recently reported by Kazakhstan’s Deputy Minister of Transport Zhanibek Taizhanov, 236 locomotives are planned for delivery this year. Alstom is KTZ’s sole supplier of electric locomotives, while CRRC from China has begun supplying them to the private market.
Reference – Railways in Kazakhstan: market overview and manufacturers, September 2025
