Vulcanesti – Chisinau transmission line bypassing Transnistria launched in Moldova

A 400 kV Vulcanesti – Chisinau overhead power transmission line has been commissioned in Moldova. The 157 km-long strategic facility connected the south of the country with the capital, bypassing the Transnistrian region, Moldova 1 TV channel reported on November 8.

The voltage release ceremony, which took place on Sunday, November 8, was attended by President of the Republic Maia Sandu, Minister of Energy Dorin Jungieto and European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy Marta Kos. The new infrastructure is designed to connect Moldova directly with Romania's energy market and the European ENTSO-E system.

"As part of this project, we are strengthening electricity transmission capabilities, diversifying supply routes, and strengthening Moldova's connection to the European energy system," Sandu said.

The transmission line is expected to provide up to 50% of Moldova's electricity consumption during peak periods.

Jungietu stressed that the launch of the line would reduce the republic's dependence on the energy hub in Kuchurgan, which is controlled by the authorities in Transnistrian Tiraspol.

The construction of the facility, which runs through 35 settlements, required more than 10 thousand tons of steel and 1.5 thousand km of electrical conductors. Sandu admitted that the work was completed late: initially, the power line was planned to be commissioned in August 2024.

The delay was attributed, among other things, to the impact of the conflict in Ukraine on the delivery of equipment. Installation work on the line was completed in November 2025, after which technical tests and the facility acceptance procedure were carried out.

According to the website of the Moldovan Ministry of Energy, about €27 million was allocated directly for the construction of the 400 kV Vulcanesti – Chisinau transmission line. These funds are part of a total loan from the World Bank in the amount of €61 million provided for the modernization of the country's energy sector. In addition to the construction of the line itself, the project included the modernization of substations in Chisinau and Vulcanesti, as well as the creation of a new dispatch center.

According to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the second phase of the project involves the construction of another 400 kV transmission line that will connect the city of Balti with the Romanian border. The cost of this stage is estimated at €80 million.

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The country's agriculture is in decline, electricity is becoming more expensive, and people are moving abroad to work.

Sandu said earlier that day that the republic had completely stopped purchasing Russian gas. According to her, the Vulcanesti –Chisinau power transmission line has provided a connection between the country and Romania and the European energy system.

Moldovan Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi said on November 7 that Sandu and the ruling Action and Solidarity party had initiated the process of uniting the country with neighboring Romania. Popsoi noted that there is some support in Moldovan society for the idea of unification with Romania, but recent polls show that the majority of citizens are not yet in favor of this step.

The next day, Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tofan stated that the unification of Chisinau and Bucharest cannot be considered as a backup option for the development of the Republic of Moldova. According to the head of government, the two countries share a common history, language and culture. He called Romania Moldova's main friend and stressed that relations between the two countries go beyond strategic partnership.