Work on the Vulcănești–Chișinău Energy Independence Line (400 kV) has reached another milestone: 87% of construction is complete and 97 km of cables have already been installed. Teams are working in parallel at both the Chișinău and Vulcănești substations to finish equipment installation and commissioning.
The new 157 km overhead transmission route will include more than 500 towers and approximately 1,500 km of conductors across three phases.
Crossing eight districts and 35 localities, the line — part of the Power System Development Project — is a strategic investment that will connect the Republic of Moldova to the wider European transmission network and strengthen the country’s energy security and independence.
Moldova’s power system has been synchronised with the Continental European network (ENTSO-E), a key step that allows stronger integration with EU electricity markets and improves operational security. This synchronisation took place in March 2022 and remains central to Moldova’s strategy for reliable imports and cross-border trade.
International financing and support are accelerating Moldova’s grid upgrades. The World Bank is financing the Vulcănești–Chișinău line as part of the Power System Development Project, while the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has provided major lending packages recently to bolster Moldova’s ability to buy gas and electricity on European markets. These funds are intended to reduce reliance on single suppliers and to stabilise supplies after disruptions.
The United States has approved a ~$130 million initiative to build a high-voltage transmission project in Moldova (Strășeni–Gutinaș / related support), highlighting growing Western investment aimed at diversifying Moldova’s energy links and increasing resilience. This complements the Vulcănești–Chișinău line and expands options for importing power and grid services from the EU.
Speaking to The Voice of Renewables, Moldova Energy Minister Dorin Junghietu emphasised the importance of this project for the country’s energy future. According to him, the Vulcanesti-Chisinau power line will eliminate the vulnerability to the Kuchurgan Power Plant. “This high-voltage electric line will allow Moldova to stably and securely connect to the European electricity network through Romania. The project directly contributes to strengthening the country’s energy independence and reducing the risks of power supply interruptions.”
Policy and regulatory steps are being sped up to remove bottlenecks: the Moldovan government recently approved amendments to facilitate the 400 kV Vulcănești–Chișinău line’s construction and streamline permitting and implementation. That should help keep the project on schedule.
Why the line matters
Depending on the electric power system regime, the line can ensure the transit of up to 630 MVA of power, which could meet 50 per cent of energy consumption during peak demand periods.
Moldova has limited domestic energy production and historically relied on imports for gas and electricity. New high-voltage interconnections and sync with ENTSO-E improve market access, allow imports/exports, and reduce vulnerability to single-source disruptions — all of which are core to national energy security and to meeting EU-aligned market rules.
