Power & Communication Cable Supply Case Study
The Addis Abeba Light Rail Transport Project is the first modern light rail system in East Africa, designed to ease urban traffic congestion and support rapid economic development in Ethiopia’s capital city. As a key supplier in the power transmission and distribution sector, our company provided a wide range of electric power cables and communication cables to support the infrastructure construction of this landmark project.
Project Overview
Location: Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
Owner: Ethiopian Railway Corporation (ERC)
Contractor: China Railway Engineering Corporation (CREC)
Project Type: Urban Light Rail Transit
Lines: North–South Line & East–West Line
Total Length: 31 km
Operation Voltage: DC 750V
Construction Period: 2012–2015
This project required high reliability, long service life, and strong resistance to UV, heat, and mechanical stress due to Ethiopia’s plateau climate environment.
Our Cable Supply Scope
As a professional manufacturer of power and communication cables, we supplied a series of products to support the power distribution, signaling, and communication systems of the light rail network.
1. Low Voltage Power Cables (0.6/1kV)
Used for:
Station power distribution
Lighting systems
Ticketing & control rooms
Cable Types:
Cu/XLPE/PVC
Cu/PVC/PVC
Armored (STA/SWA) for underground cable routes
2. Medium Voltage Cables (6–15kV)
Used for:
Traction substations
Power transmission between stations
Cable Types:
Cu/XLPE/PVC
Cu/XLPE/PE
SWA or STA armored versions for mechanical protection
3. Railway Signal & Control Cables
Used for:
Train control systems
Interlocking systems
Trackside signaling
Features:
Multi-core
PE sheath
UV-resistant
Moisture-proof
Excellent low-smoke, halogen-free fire performance
4. Communication & Optical Fiber Cables
Used for:
SCADA communication
Train scheduling
Monitoring systems (CCTV)
Cable Types:
ADSS optical cables for overhead installation
GYTA53 armored fiber for ground installation
Railway-grade communication cables
Project Challenges
1. High Altitude & Strong UV Radiation
Addis Abeba is located at 2,300–2,500 meters above sea level, requiring cables with excellent UV and temperature resistance.
2. Complex Urban Construction
Cables needed to be flexible for installation in tunnels, bridges, viaducts, and crowded underground pipelines.
3. High Reliability Requirements
Public transportation projects require stable operation and long-term insulation performance, with strict quality control standards.
Our Solutions
To meet the project requirements, we provided tailored solutions:
UV-resistant HDPE sheath to ensure outdoor durability
XLPE insulation for higher temperature resistance (-40°C to +90°C)
Armored structures to resist mechanical damage during road excavation
LSZH materials in public areas for improved fire safety
Full factory type tests + routine tests + third-party inspection reports
Our engineering team also assisted with:
Cable selection
Cross-section calculation
Laying & installation guide
Technical documentation
Results & Feedback
The Addis Abeba Light Rail has been operating successfully since 2015, transporting tens of thousands of passengers daily.
Our cables have demonstrated:
Stable power transmission
Low maintenance requirements
Excellent environmental resistance
Zero major failures reported
Customers highly recognized the quality, delivery time, and technical support we provided.
Why Clients Choose Us for Railway & Metro Projects
15+ years of cable manufacturing experience
Full range of LV/MV/HV power cables, OPGW, ADSS, control, signal cables
ISO, IEC, UL, TUV, CE international certifications
Experience in major infrastructure projects in Africa, Southeast Asia, Middle East, and Europe
Fast production & reliable packaging for long-distance sea transportation
