Top European banks support Moldova to carry out projects on electricity interconnection with Romania

Chisinau, 26 April /MOLDPRES/ - Experts of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and European Investment Bank (EIB), at a meeting with deputy prime Minister, Economics Minister Octavian Calmic, have reiterated the banks’ willingness to finance the construction of the inter-connection of the electric energy systems from Moldova and Romania.  

The Economics Ministry’s Communication and Public Relations Service said that  aspects on financing and technical procedures of the inter-connection project’s implementation had been discussed by Octavian Calmic with a team of experts of EBRD and EIB. Also, the sides debated measures to be enforced to start financing the project on interconnection of the electric energy systems of Moldova and Romania, including through a Back-to-Back station and Overhead Power Line Isaccea-Vulcanesti-Chisinau.   

“The carrying out of these projects of national importance will allow Moldova not only ensuring the country’s energy security, but also benefiting from advantages offered by the EU energy market, to provide the citizens with more qualitative services and at lower prices,” the economics minister said.     

After the governments of Romania and Moldova had signed a memorandum in 2014 and the energy strategy of Moldova till 2030 had been approved, the discussions on interconnections advanced essentially and became a politically assumed priority, which enjoys support on behalf of international and European financial institutions.  

The electric energy system of Moldova works in parallel with the energy system of Ukraine, being inter-connected through six 330 KV high-tension power lines and with the energy system of Romania and Bulgaria through the Overhead Power Line of 400 Kv Isaccea-Vulcanesti. The interconnection with the energy system of Romania is ensured through the Overhead Power Line of 110 Kv in isolated operation. According to the energy strategy, till 2020, the future extension of the electricity network will include another two 400 Kv lines of interconnection with the Romanian electric energy system Suceava-Balti and Straseni-Ungheni-Iasi. The overall cost of these projects is estimated at more than 40 million euros.    

The project on interconnection of the energy systems from Moldova and Romania is to be implemented with the support of EBRD, EIB, World Bank and European Commission.   

(Reporter V. Bercu, editor L. Alcaza)