
The funds provided for the construction of the Back-to-Back station in Vulcanesti were reallocated to the construction of a new connection with Romania through the Balti-Suceava power line and the expansion of the station in Balti.
This was announced by the Ministry of Energy, noting that the corresponding decision was made at the last meeting of the Interdepartmental Committee for Strategic Planning under the government. In particular, it agreed on the allocation of funds for the construction of a 400 kV transmission line Balti-Suceava, and the Ministry of Energy will propose a detailed action plan in connection with the construction of this high-voltage transmission line. As noted, the construction of the Back-to-Back 600 MW plant in Vulcanesti is no longer justified from a technical and economic point of view after Moldova synchronized its power system, together with Ukraine, with the power system of continental Europe (ENTSO - European Network of Electricity Transmission System Operators). In addition, a feasibility study supported by the World Bank identified a number of benefits of building new interconnections with Romania, including creating the necessary prerequisites for the development of renewable electricity generation in both countries, expanding the market at the EU level and reducing the congestion of the energy infrastructure due to greater flexibility and sustainability of the two systems. “This project is of strategic importance for Moldova and will increase our energy independence. A reliable energy connection with Romania will allow us to become a full-fledged part of ENTSO-E, independent of Ukraine. The construction of this line was included in the investment plan of the continental energy system,” Energy Minister Victor Parlicov said. The project provides for the construction of an overhead transmission line with a voltage of 400 kV, 138 km long, of which 90 km will be laid through the territory of Romania and 48 km through the territory of Moldova, on the Suceava-Balti section, as well as the expansion of the Suceava substation with the construction of a new 400 kV substation in Balti. The volume of investments will be about 40 million euros, and the Romanian company Transelectrica has submitted the Project for financing under the Modernization Fund. In parallel, in order to strengthen the energy independence of Moldova, a high-voltage line Vulcanesti - Chisinau is being built, which will allow importing electricity, bypassing the Moldavian GRES. At present, the development of the project for the construction of this transmission line is being completed and strength tests of all types of supports have been completed. The construction work is due to be completed in 2025. The Interministerial Committee for Strategic Planning (CIPS), established in 2008, coordinates and supervises the government's activities in developing and implementing the Government's Action Program, the National Development Strategy and the Medium-Term Expenditure Programme, European integration and foreign aid coordination. The committee provides an integrated strategic planning process in which national priorities set out in the government's main strategic documents are aligned with policies developed by relevant central governments, international commitments made, and internal and external resource frameworks.// 02.03.2023 — InfoMarket