PHOTO New overhead power line to be built to interconnect with Romania

Chisinau, April 30 /MOLDPRES/- Moldova's electricity system will be connected to the Romanian and European grids by a new 400 kV overhead power line with an estimated length of 190 kilometres. This is the third direct connection between Moldova and Romania and will link the Strășeni and Gutinaș power stations.

The construction of the new 400 kV overhead power line is provided for in the Memorandum of Understanding signed today between the US Government, represented by USAID and the Government of Moldova, represented by the Ministry of Energy.

"We are witnessing a historic event," said Energy Minister Victor Parlicov at the signing of the Memorandum. "The interconnection project launched today, together with other similar projects, will bring us, probably towards the end of 2028, this is the time estimate, in a situation where we will be able to integrate as a country into the European energy market, through the Romanian market, before the Republic of Moldova is officially a member state of the EU. We have the possibility to be part of the European energy market before being a full member state of the EU", said Victor Parlicov.

"Today, I am here to convey the commitment of the United States to support the Republic of Moldova in the implementation of an extremely important project. Together, our efforts will contribute to the construction of a high-voltage power line that will connect Moldova to the European electricity grid, representing a positive connection, both directly and symbolically," said USAID Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman.

The construction of the Straseni-Gutinaș high voltage power line is part of the MoldovaConnected programme, which is a broader USAID effort to strengthen Moldovan energy security and autonomy by linking local and European energy infrastructure.

US Ambassador to Moldova Kent Logsdon said the partnership between the United States and the Government of Moldova is growing stronger, from addressing Moldova's immediate energy needs to accelerating the transition to green energy.

The Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. Government and the Government of the Republic of Moldova calls for the construction phase to begin in late 2025, after several feasibility studies have been conducted, and construction is expected to be completed in late 2029. On the territory of Moldova, the overhead power line will be more than 70 kilometres long out of a total of 190 kilometres and will start at the Strășeni power station.

Investments of $220 million are planned in the coming years to improve the stability of the electricity grid and increase opportunities for domestic generation using cost-competitive renewable energy resources.